Some low water bridges in Centurion flooded

Tshwane metro has warned motorists to avoid low-lying bridges such as the one in End Street, Lyttelton, Centurion, due to the increased risk of flooding.

The warning was issued in light of the current heavy rainfall in the area.

Local ward councillor David Farquharson said storm gates were closed to block motorists at End Street.

Ward councillor Ina Strijdom said the Tshwane region 4 disaster management team was monitoring the situation.

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Tshwane emergency services department remained on high alert, according to spokesperson Charles Mabaso.

This follows the forecast issued by the South African Weather Service of possible showers and thundershowers over parts of Gauteng from yesterday to Saturday.

“We will be on high alert to respond to life-threatening emergencies and to coordinate interventions aimed at dealing with the possible impact of the weather conditions,” said Mabaso.

“Various parts of Tshwane are already experiencing the impact of the rainy conditions with flooding of susceptible roads and low-lying bridges that make travelling difficult, and temporary road closures of some known hotspots.”

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Mabaso said the disaster risk management teams were working with relevant city departments to coordinate the implementation of the city’s flood incident management plan.

“A pre-rainy season cleaning plan of Centurion lake and the Hennops river, and an operational stormwater and bridge maintenance plan by the roads and transport department in various parts of the city are underway.

“The cleaning and maintenance plan is aimed at cleaning and carting away litter, unblocking sluice gate channels and cleaning pipes by super-sucker. It will also excavate silt 20m in front of the wall and cleaning the lake dam wall, cleaning litter and trees from 20m upstream to outlet culverts. Litter and debris within the flood plain will be cleaned and litter carted away to landfill sites. Silt around main stormwater outlets will be cleaned.”

The following areas are known flooding hotspots:

– Rabie Street and End Avenue low-water bridge, Centurion

– Nellmapius and John Vorster Drive low-water bridge, Irene

– SuperSport Park, Centurion

– R101 near Wierdebrug South African Police Service station

– M8 near the PPC Cement factory, Hercules

– Vom Hagen and Rebecca Street, Pretoria West

Mabaso urged motorists to avoid driving through flooded low-water bridges as they risked their lives and damage to their vehicles.

“We call upon residents to be careful and consider their safety during this rainy season. To enable emergency response and the coordination of other response measures during storms, dial 107 toll-free from a landline or cell phone.”

In light of the current heavy rains, motorist are cautioned not to make use of the low lying bridges at End Street in Centurion due to flooding. pic.twitter.com/L2SXpfThDc

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) October 1, 2021

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