Parts of Gauteng to be declared disaster areas

 Gauteng Premier David Makhura intends to declare some parts of Gauteng disaster areas, following the recent fierce flash floods.

This after Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni had experienced the worst case of flash floods on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, homes and motor vehicles and killing at least six people.   

Upon arrival from attending an International Investment Conference in Namibia, 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. 

Premier Makhura also received a report on how OR Tambo International Airport was affected.

Premier Makhura has conveyed condolences to the families of those who passed on.

“A significant number of our citizens from across Gauteng are continuing to be displaced as the heavy rains continue into the weekend.

“Provincial and local government disaster management teams have been doing a great job in assisting to provide temporary relief to those affected.

“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,” Premier Makhura said.

The provincial government, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni municipalities will continue to work together to assist those affected by the floods and attend to the necessary infrastructure repairs and upgrades to prevent future disasters of this nature.

In addition, the provincial government has urged 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 a higher spot when the water level rises.

Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today confirmed that no provincial roads were structurally damaged as a result of the continuing heavy rain storms, although some roads were temporarily closed due to debris on the affected roads.

“Thankfully, no provincial roads were structurally damaged due to the unusually heavy rainfall and we are monitoring the situation on an on-going basis,” MEC Vadi said.

He said the 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.

The department reported that the following roads were closed due to the rain storms and have since been cleared and are now open for traffic:

- R55 bridge near Kyalami

 R24 and R21 roads towards the OR Tambo Airport near Gillooly’s Interchange

- M1 near Marlboro

- K60 in Rivonia

- Witkoppen Bridge and

- Main Street Bridge.

MEC Vadi assured the public that the department will continue to work with municipalities to ensure that the road infrastructure is maintained and that road safety is not compromised.

With more rain anticipated over the weekend, the department has urged residents and motorists to be on high alert and to avoid crossing flooded bridges and roads