Parts of Gauteng affected by floods to be declared disaster areas
Gauteng Premier David Makhura intends to declare some parts of the province disaster areas following recent flash floods.
This comes after Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni experienced extensive damage due to flash floods.
According to the provincial government, flash floods on Wednesday caused damage to infrastructure, homes and vehicles, and killed at least six people.
Premier Makhura received a report from MEC Paul Mashatile, who was the Acting Premier at the time, on the scale of the damage and casualties that resulted from the flash floods.
"We are taking the necessary steps to declare a disaster so that we can tap into all available resources to assist those affected by the flash floods and ongoing heavy downpours to rebuild their lives," says Makhura.
The provincial government urges Gauteng residents to be extra cautious this weekend as more floods are anticipated.
People living in low-lying areas must take special care during storms, as sudden floods might affect them.
Residents living next to rivers and streams must evacuate to a safer place or higher spot when the water level rises.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Roads and Transport Department's emergency road maintenance teams were on stand-by to assist the disaster management services in the event of excessive flooding on any particular provincial or municipal road.
MEC Ismail Vadi says no provincial roads were structurally damaged.
"Thankfully, no provincial roads were structurally damaged due to the unusually heavy rainfall and we are monitoring the situation on an on-going basis," says Vadi.