Drainage systems in Standerton no match for heavy rainfall
The stream of water ran into the alcove at the the Superspar shopping centre, where customers quickly ran in for shopping and out again, drenched to the bone.
Locals in the capital of South Africa, Pretoria, refers to the late afternoon showers as the ‘staatdiensreëntjie’, but Standertonians had a downpour on Wednesday, 13 January, putting the diminutive of rain to shame.
A torrent of rain in Beyers Naudé Street after 3pm, saw motorists driving slowly with wipers going furiously.
The stream of water ran into the alcove at the the SuperSpar shopping centre, where customers quickly ran in for shopping and out again, drenched to the bone.
Employees at the supermarket swept the flowing water stream outside, towards the parking area. According to information obtained, 80mm of rain fell.
A remark was made that the municipal drainage system does not function properly.
The following day, at roughly the same time. storms clouds gathered again, the downfall was however, not in the same league as the previous day.
A wall between McDonald’s and the PKG-building in Beyers Naudé Street gave way on 13 January and two workers were spotted on 14 January.
The Standerton Advertiser was able to take photos of an overflowing Grootdraai Dam on Friday, 15 January, where the sluices are open.
Vegetation on the road toward the dam is lush and green, a few cosmos blooms were swaying in the light wind, casting a soothing glow.
The newspaper tried to contact the Department of Water and Sanitation at the dam for rainfall statistics, but was unsuccessful.
