POLOKWANE – The city woke up to a heavy downpour this morning as Polokwane is currently under a ‘heavy rain’ watch on the South African Weather Service’s website.

According to the weather service, the watch will be in effect from 01:00 to 23:00 this evening with an 80% chance of rain.

Watch:02/01/2019 01h00 TO:02/01/2019 23h00 Heavy rain with possible localised flooding is expected over the Vhembe, Mopani, Capricorn and Sekhukhune District Municipalities of the Limpopo Province. pic.twitter.com/U1276S8cg0

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 1, 2019

Temperatures are expected to drop to 23 degrees on Thursday but will increase by the weekend, peaking at 32 degrees on Saturday.

Rain has been forecast for the rest of the week with a 60% chance of thunderstorms expected over the weekend.

Due to the heavy rain watch, flooding is possible and the weather service gives the following tips:

– If possible, stay indoors and off the roads.
– Do not cross rivers and swollen streams.
– Move to higher ground.
– If your car gets stuck in a flood, get out and climb to higher ground.
– Move valuables to a safe place in buildings which should be above the expected flood level.
– Switch off electricity at the supply point.
– Move your animals to a safe place.
– If evacuation is recommended, abandon your home immediately before your way out is cut off by flood water.
– Never drive into water covering the road. You don’t know how deep the water is or if the road has been washed away

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