Tshwane emergency services are attending to reports of motorists trapped in floods in parts of Pretoria North on Thursday.
The Gauteng Weather Service has issued an alert for high likelihood of disruptive rain from Thursday afternoon, 5 January 2023, to 6 January 2023.
Tshwane emergency services and metro police responded to two incidents in which vehicles were submerged under low-lying bridges in Pretoria North and Steve Biko Road.
Tshwane emergency services deputy chief Charles Mabaso said there were no casualties. He added that metro police were notified about the incidents.
One incident was on Steve Biko Road crossing Johan Heyns Drive.
“The road beneath the bridge was flooded and one vehicle got stuck. However, the occupants moved to safety without major issues.
“In Pretoria North, leaving Paul Kruger and Rachael De Beer streets, another vehicle got stuck under a bridge. The occupants of the vehicle also managed to get to safety.
“Motorists are advised to exercise caution around those areas, and incidents that are life threatening must be reported to the Tshwane emergency services,” Mabaso said, adding they were on high alert in known hot spots.
Metro police had been deployed to both areas to ensure that motorists are safe.
“We are on standby and remain on high alert as we monitor other incidents. We have been out to monitor other areas which are hotspots for flooding as well,” he said.
The Weather Service warns Gauteng residents to be careful as they expect more disruptive thunderstorms throughout the province.
Residents can expect more floods and should avoid high risk roads and bridges as to not get trapped or stuck in high waters.
Disaster management teams are on high alert in KwaZulu-Natal and personnel are on high alert as heavy rains and floods are anticipated today.
A level 9 warning for thunderstorms and floods was issued to parts of South Africa on Thursday.
Source: News24, IOL, The South African, Times Live, image from Twitter: @tWeatherSA