The spokesperson at the municipality, Qondile Khedama, told OFM News that the city’s Traffic, Fire and Rescue, as well as Roads and Stormwater teams will be on standby for the next two days as heavy rainfalls are expected. This is to avoid a repeat of the heavy flash floods which were experienced by many in Bloemfontein over a month ago, which saw several parts of the city overwhelmed by floods causing several traffic delays and rescue operations in some instances. Khedama says, since that incident, the metro has worked on its stormwater drainage systems to avoid a repeat scenario.

Khedama told OFM News that, after many questioned the functionality of its stormwater drain systems in late January, the municipality has, since then, implemented remedial measures by unclogging blocked stormwater catch-pit inlets across the city and will continue to do so. Khedama further says, although the municipality has unclogged the inlets, he continues to warn that flash floods may be a recurring possibility owing to the fact that the drainage systems may again become overwhelmed by the heavy downpours. Motorists are thereby urged to take note of the weather warning and not drive in the direction of roads that are flooded.

This follows after Bloemfontein experienced a spike in accidents, about a month ago, following heavy rains and flash floods in parts of the city’s Central Business District (CBD). During this time, a young nine-year-old girl went missing in Bloemfontein’s Batho township and was found dead by police divers after a frantic search for her body following heavy floods in the area. The municipality had earlier warned residents and motorists to take caution in several areas as they were mostly affected by floods (Batho was on the list of these areas). 

The Mayor of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Olly Mlamleli, shortly thereafter paid a visit to the bereaved family. Meanwhile, the municipality has urged all locals in Bloemfontein to heed whatever warnings it may issue and requests that, in cases of emergencies, residents should use the metro’s call centre number at 051-406-6660 or 051-409-9600.

OFM News