Damage caused by heavy rainfall in Pretoria
Emergency services and disaster management teams had their hands full on Friday and Saturday as incidents of flooding were reported in various parts of Pretoria.
Incidents of flooding were reported to the Tshwane Emergency Services’s call centre including flooded homes, roads and shopping complexes.
Firefighters responded to a house that was flooded in Marija Street in Annlin.
“Upon arrival we found a flooded house where the water had already subsided to knee level, with a partially collapsed roof,” Tshwane Emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said.
Also read: Shopping as usual at Sinoville centre
“Five houses were flooded in Motsomi Street, unit 7b Kudube, Hammanskraal.”
In Mamelodi several roads were reported to be flooded leading to traffic congestion.
Firefighters were also on high alert around the Centurion Lake and hotel as the water was observed to be rising significantly.
“The water subsided without causing any incidents of flooding,” Mabaso said.
The roads and stormwater team was sent out to channel the flow of water in those areas.
In Irene two vehicles were trapped in water at a bridge on Nelmapius Road.
Also on Steve Biko and Smith streets a vehicle was trapped in water.
In Amandelboom Street in Doornpoort a car was floating in water.
An occupant managed to get out.
“No loss of life or injuries were reported as a result of the heavy downpours,” Mabaso said.
“Major traffic backblocks, flooded roads and bridges, vehicles stuck in water, uprooted trees and flooded houses were reported in various parts of the city.”
Firefighters had to cut and remove trees that were uprooted by the storm on Nelson Mandela and Willow streets in Arcadia, Limpopo Avenue and Toermarlein Street in Lyttelton Manor, Nico Smith and 21st streets in Villeria, Leyds and De Rapper streets in Sunnyside as well Biko and XR Hellen streets in Arcadia.
Teams had to clean and clear debris on the low water bridge on Flower Street in Capital Park after it was flooded.
Also read: WARNING: Low-lying areas in Pretoria face serious flooding
“A vehicle, stuck in water, was recovered after the water subsided on Steve Biko and Nico Smith streets,” he said.
“The occupants of the vehicles managed to get to safety without any harm.”
Zeiler Street and End Street in Centurion were also reported to be flooded. The low water bridges in Capital Park and Centurion are known as flooding hotspots, and drivers were urged to avoid crossing them when water was above the road surface during rainy periods.
“Drivers risk being swept away by the water. It is advisable to avoid driving in heavy rainfall if it is not necessary and finding a safe place to park and wait for the rain to subside if already on the road.”
Mabaso said the water levels along the path of the Apies River through areas such as the Rooiwal, Hammanskraal into Bosplaas and Maubane in the neighbouring Moretele District Municipality remained significantly high and residents and motorists should remain vigilant around those areas.
He said incidents of flooding, particularly where lives are under threat, must be reported on their 107-toll free emergency number.
Emergency services and disaster management teams remained on high alert and were monitoring the situation throughout the metro as more rainfall was expected throughout the weekend.
Power outages due to the heavy rainfall were reported in areas such as: Delmas, Equestria, Lynnwood Glen, Clearwater and Olympus on Boardwalk Meander, Eros Villas and Lavender.
The Sinoville shopping complex in the north of Pretoria was also flooded on Friday afternoon.
Angels hotel care centre for disabled children has been without power since Friday 20 November due to a tree that fell on power polls in Eloff Street, Eloffsdal, in Pretoria.
Hettie Botha of the centre said the incident occurred around 16:00.
“There has been a lot of damage caused to our power supply lines.
“We have a generator as well as gas stoves.
“Fortunately, there was still warm water left this morning (Saturday, 21 November),” said Botha.
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