Joburg - More than 300 families have been forced to flee Nancefield Hostel after the weekend’s torrential rains flooded the hostel.
A spokesperson for Joburg Emergency Services, Robert Mulaudzi, said the incident was reported on Saturday in the area of Nancefield Hostel, with MMC of Human Settlement Mlungisi Mabaso expected to visit the area later today.
This comes after the South African Weather Service issued a Level 6 warning for strong winds, disruptive rainfall and possible localised flooding this past weekend.
On Sunday, Mabaso said he was mobilising support from his department and other departments to ensure that the residents were assisted with alternative accommodation.
Watch: Heavyrainfalls
This is a place in @GautengProvince called Nancefield Hostel in @Soweto.
Post assessment @RedcrossSa team reported that more than 300 people have been affected.#Floodies2022 #FLOODING #FloodiesIsBack #heavyrainfallwarning pic.twitter.com/mjbny3cuXF
Some of the residents had to seek shelter with their neighbours after the strong downpour resulted in flash floods.
Mabaso said multi-stakeholder engagement was needed to bring assistance to the affected families.
“I had been in communication with the MMC responsible for all our public facilities in the city, to make them available to house some of those that might require such intervention. So we are putting something together and we are working with disaster,” Mabaso said.
Mulaudzi urged residents to be vigilant, especially around informal settlements.
“As the City of Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), we remain on high alert, monitoring all seven regions of the City, especially our most vulnerable communities – our informal settlements. We have got our disaster management monitoring teams in all those areas. Our 13 fire stations are fully operational, we have got a specialised unit, the swift water rescue crew unit is also on high alert,” he said.
The Star