South Africa – Floods in Gauteng After a Month of Rain Falls in One Day

by in Africa, News

Update, 24 March 2018

Local media reported on 24 March that at least 7 people died when a bus was swept away by a flooded river in Lesotho.

The incident occurred in the district of Thaba Tseka, Lesotho, when a mini-bus carrying 15 passengers attempted to cross a bridge over the swollen Linakeng River on Thursday, 22 March 2018.

Eight passengers managed to escape the flood waters. The bodies of the remaining seven passengers were found along various parts of the river on Saturday, 24 March.

Original report, 23 March, 2018

Parts of Gauteng Province in South Africa were hit by a severe storm from 22 March, 2018. Some areas recorded more than a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.

Areas around Johannesburg and Pretoria were particularly badly hit. Strong winds have downed trees and heavy rain had flooded several roads, causing major traffic problems.

A massive sinkhole appeared on the M24 Route between Gauteng and Valhalla.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has asked road users to be careful following heavy rains, particularly when crossing bridges.

The heavy rain also caused some rivers to overflow, including the Hennops river, which has flooded wide areas of Centurion, south west of Pretoria.

Local media report that some homes in northern Johannesburg were evacuated. The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services were responding to the flooding incidents and said no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Rainfall

South Africa Weather Service said that Pretoria recorded 145 mm of rain and Johannesburg 117 mm in 24 hours to 23 March. The average monthly rainfall for March in Johannesburg is about 90 mm, according to WMO figures.

Heavy rain in South Africa, 22 March 2018. Image: South Africa Weather Service

Social Media

https://twitter.com/tWeatherSA/status/977066473662373888

https://twitter.com/AsktheChiefJMPD/status/977057576675405824