By Motorist and the general public are warned of possible flash floods across five provinces in the country including the Free State. The thundershowers are expected to continue until Wednesday, 8 January 2025.
According to the South African Weather Services (SAWS), scattered (60%) and widespread (80%) showers and thundershowers are expected on Sunday across the central and eastern regions of South Africa. These regions include North West, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the southern parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
The likelihood of a significant increase in rainfall accumulation is suggested, with amounts ranging from 50 to 70 mm. To this effect, road flooding, slippery surfaces, and broad flash flooding are possible.
The use of vehicle headlights, while driving at a reasonably low speed, will be useful during the showery conditions. Motorists should ensure clear windscreens, as traffic and road markings could be difficult to see during the occurrence of heavy rain, even for vehicles with properly working wipers, in some instances.
Further, it is inevitable that some low-water bridges could overflow, with powerful water currents that could sweep away vehicles and lead to loss of lives and property. It is strongly advised that motorists do not enter flooded low-water bridges or roads
SAWS explained that usually, summer thundershowers are confined to the afternoon and early evening hours. However, the continuous flow of warm moist air (tropical moisture) to South Africa from countries to the north is expected to cause showers at any time of the day.
“This means that ordinary or even heavy showers could be expected even between 18h00 in the evening and 01h00 in the early morning. According to the Road Traffic Management Centre (RTMC), these are the critical hours that road users should avoid driving. For this festive season, a higher number of road fatalities than previous years, has already been reported, and the SAWS, in collaboration with the RTMC, would like to urge motorists, pedestrians and the public to be extra vigilant and careful on the roads during these conditions to prevent the further loss of lives,” cautioned SAWS.
