Flood warning for eastern SA

838 06.03.2014 A mentally-ill 25 year old Bheki Khumalo, who was rescued by the police diving unit at Sand river in Hazyview, after he had spent a night under the bridge due to heavy rains, receives medication. Picture: Itumeleng English

838 06.03.2014 A mentally-ill 25 year old Bheki Khumalo, who was rescued by the police diving unit at Sand river in Hazyview, after he had spent a night under the bridge due to heavy rains, receives medication. Picture: Itumeleng English

Published Mar 7, 2014

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Johannesburg - A flood warning was issued for the eastern parts of the country over the next five days, the SA Weather Service said on Friday.

“This is due to a warm moisture band coming in from the northern region such as Botswana,” said forecaster Bransby Bulo.

Provinces that would be most affected included Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the North West.

Rain could also be expected in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, said Bulo.

A 60 percent chance of thunder showers was expected on Friday and Saturday, while the chance of rain increased to 80 percent from Sunday to Tuesday, said Bulo.

“The thunderstorms are expected to begin on Friday afternoon, especially in Gauteng.”

No new flood-related incidents were reported in Johannesburg overnight, Gauteng emergency services spokeswoman Nana Radebe said on Friday morning.

“There are no new reports of flooding in Johannesburg and the water levels have decreased,” Radebe said.

Some of the low-lying bridges in Tshwane were closed as a result of flooding in the area, Tshwane emergency services spokesman Johan Pieterse said.

“We will continue to monitor the water levels,” he said.

Motorists were urged to avoid low-lying bridges and to seek alternative routes when driving in rainy weather conditions.

Pieterse asked that they be patient on the roads, switch on their headlights and avoid driving if possible. - Sapa

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