Tshwane EMS on high alert amid thunderstorm warning
Emergency services in Tshwane were on high alert on Monday amid warnings of possible severe thunderstorms across the metro.
The South African Weather Service issued a Level 2 Yellow warning for severe thunderstorms on Monday.
On Friday, forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said the widespread heavy rain will persist over the eastern parts of the country until Tuesday.
"Initially, the weather this weekend will be relatively settled, with just a small chance of thunderstorms over some of the eastern provinces on Friday and Saturday.
"On Sunday, weather conditions will begin to deteriorate significantly, as the cut-off low manifests itself over the northern parts of the Northern Cape, introducing marked instability into the atmosphere to drive widespread showers and thundershowers.
"As tropical air begins to stream southward over Botswana and South Africa, conditions will become progressively cloudy to overcast."
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso has urged residents to avoid crossing flooded low-lying roads, bridges and swollen streams.
"The impact of severe thunderstorms may include localised flooding of susceptible low-lying areas, informal settlements and susceptible roads, minor to major vehicle accidents due to poor driving visibility and slippery road conditions, localised service disruptions due to power failures and localised damage due to large amounts of small hail.
"We call on residents to observe the following safety measures: if possible, stay indoors and away from metal objects, do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects, do not go fishing or play golf as both golf clubs and fishing rods are good conductors of electricity, avoid crossing flooded low-lying roads, bridges and swollen streams, be aware that any combination of hail, strong winds, heavy rain and/or excessive lighting can accompany storms."
SEE SOME OF THE FLOODING HOTSPOTS IN THE METRO BELOW:
Region 1
Block KK Informal Settlement
Region 2
Parts of Refentse (Stinkwater)
Parts of Suurman and Sekampaneng
Parts of Majaneng
Region 3
The following low-water bridges:
Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and Van der Hoff Road – Apies River
Rebecca Street and N4
Schutte Street and N4 Train Bridge
Schutte Street and Dr WF Nkomo Street
Roger Dyason Road and Industrial Train Bridge
Region 4
End and Rabie Street
Blackwood Street
Centurion Lake Hotel Bridge
Nellmapius Bridge
Lyttelton Road
SuperSport Park Bridge
Region 5
Cullinan on R513 Road
Onverwacht settlement
Refiloe Ext 5, 9 and 10
Phumzile Park
Lethabong informal settlement
Mooiplaats informal settlement
Pienaarspoort informal settlement
Kameelsdrift informal settlement
R104 Savannah Bridge
Region 6
Rubenstein, Moreleta Dam
Rossouw Street, The Willows
Old Bronkhorstspruit Road
Watermeyer/Pretoria Road
Silver Lakes Road
Banana Bridge, Mamelodi
Stoffel Park, Mamelodi East
