Caution: Safety tips to help you stay safe around rivers

Flash flooding is an ever-present risk during the rainy season and people have no idea how fast a mass of water can move over a large area.

Every year, children and adults are swept away in flash floods and their bodies are often recovered many kilometres away, which indicates the immense force with which water flows.

One cannot gauge the strength of flowing water just by looking at it; rather be cautious and do not cross if the water level has increased even slightly.

A river can change very quickly during and after rainfall; one minute the water can be flowing normally and the next minute the stream or river can double in size.

Unseen danger also lurks beneath fast-flowing water; this can include debris such as tree stumps or branches which can knock you off your feet or trap you under the water. Slippery and loose rocks can also pose a danger to anyone crossing a river.

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Also do not attempt to cross with vehicles, since flash floods are known to carry vehicles away too.

Small children should be kept away from rivers and streams, and must always be within eyesight, as it takes only a few seconds for a child to slip into the water and drown.

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