Threat of flooding from heavy storms

The Tshwane municipality placed its disaster management centre on high alert on 12 January 2009 following heavy storms over the previous two days in Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal province. City officials stated that the Weather Service had issued a warning that storms with heavy rains are predicted for the area, which could lead to widespread flooding and severely reduced visibility. The police department has already deployed officers to busy intersections to monitor the flow of traffic. Authorities encouraged motorists to avoid low water bridges, monitor their environment and be on alert for flooding. The warning comes after heavy rains fell on Pretoria on 11 January, and the nearby KwaZulu-Natal province experienced its second major storm in the past week. At least two people were killed in the KwaZulu-Natal storm and several homes were damaged. The province is also on high alert, as more storms are forecast for the coming days.