The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has urged residents in the City to remain on high alert following predictions of heavy rainfall this week.
Disaster units say they are also on standby to deal with any flooding and damage to properties.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of disruptive rain and thunderstorms in some parts of the country, including Gauteng.
According to SABC Meteorologist Joel Guy Chabata, Gauteng should expect snow this winter season.
“Since Friday and Saturday, there was talk of snow in Gauteng and even as far as Namibia. Well, that didn’t happen as you’d want to know weather systems always change so even the forecast, we might be seeing something in two to three or five days,” he explains.
Informal settlement residents, meanwhile, say they are freezing and afraid of damage to their shacks from fires amid the heavy rains and cold weather with the EMS adding they are concerned about the increase in fires in the city after the China Mart complex in Crown Mines and a building in Midrand caught fire this week.
Emergency Services has since advised the public to exercise caution by switching off all heating devices before leaving a room or heading to bed in order to prevent any fire or damage.
EMS spokesperson, Xolile Khumalo says: “As part of our yearly winter awareness campaign several townships will be visited to educate them about fire prevention and safety measures. We caution the residents of Johannesburg to practice extra caution when using electrical appliances by ensuring that these are switched off after use.”
