With the continuous heavy rains and more expected this week, Gauteng the National Disaster Management Centre requested the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) to be on stand-by with helicopters to rescue flood victims.
Brigadier-General Xonani Mabanga, the spokesman for the SANDF said it is common practise to mobilise the SANDF for assistance in rainy weather conditions.
Road surfaces and bridges have been washed away washed closing entire roads and leaving massive potholes. The dams are reaching breaking point with over 100% capacity and many people have had to be evacuated from their homes.
Coleraine Drive in Bryanston collapsed due to heavy rains on 11 March 2014.
The Vaal Dam’s capacity has increased to about 105%, the Vaal River’s banks are reaching breaking point. Vaal Dam management have opened 7 of the 16 gates. Water is flowing out of the dam at 994.4m3/s.
Water pours out of the Vaal Dam at the dam wall near Denneysville
In Mabopane north of Pretoria, a bridge has washed away, as well as Coleraine Drive in Bryanston collapsed due to heavy rains on March 11, 2014.
In Mabopane north of Pretoria, a bridge has washed away.