Pretoria - With the South African Weather Services having predicted a 60 to 80 percent chance of rain for most parts of the country this weekend, the City of Johannesburg is preparing for possible flooding.
The city has set up a Joint Operations Centre and a flood management task team, which will help in the event of floods.
Emergency services will keep a watchful eye for possible flooding in the Johannesburg region in areas such as Klipspruit, Eldorado South, Dube, Mofolo, Meadowlands and Braamfischerville, Orange Farm, Lenasia South, Florida Lake, Rivonia and Witkoppen Roads in Sunninghill, Stjwetla Informal Settlement along the Jukskei River, London Road in Alexandra, and Kaalrivier in Ivory Park.
The Department of Water Affairs has issued a flood warning to communities living downstream from the Vaal Dam as water levels were dangerously high after a high number of storms recently.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has also warned South Africans to exercise extreme caution when in or making use of dams and rivers.
For any emergencies, including flood-related incidents, members of the public are urged to call the 10177 emergency number.
According to the South African Weather Services Forecaster, Mkhutshulwa Msimanga, the situation will remain the same for the entire weekend, while in some provinces it is likely to continue until Monday.
"The situation will change on Sunday in the North West, Gauteng and in the Eastern Free State, with 80 percent chances of rain expected," Msimanga said, adding that they were keeping a close eye on developments.
