Well South Africa, Cyclone Dineo wasn’t the weather system we should’ve been worried about. Although the tropical cyclone passed well north of Gauteng and the North West, floods have ravaged both provinces this week.
We’ve covered the havoc the weather has played in Johannesburg this week, but in the North West, images and videos are now littering social media.
No ad to show here.
Due to ongoing, pelting rain experienced across the North West this week, some municipalities in the province are underwater. Quite literally.
Last night’s flash floods, which ripped through areas in the province, killed three people.
The North West destruction in pictures
In Rustenburg — one of the province’s largest cities — cars were barrelled over and left on their roofs by onrushing water.
let’s hope this doesn’t happen again, @News24 @SABCNewsOnline @dailysunsa, situation in Sunrise View Rustenburg pic.twitter.com/yo1Q58ZywJ
— Sharon Mosimanyana (@sharo_shaz) February 22, 2017
Houses have also been ravaged, with high water levels visible at dawn.
@News24 @dailysunsa @SABCNewsOnline this is terrible, Sunrise View Rustenburg pic.twitter.com/U4oopUWIGU
— Sharon Mosimanyana (@sharo_shaz) February 22, 2017
@sharo_shaz @tshedimholo a friend of mine find his room like this today when he woke up #Mereting pic.twitter.com/SFc6wQkzYH
— Morokweng_ZA (@Morokweng_ZA) February 22, 2017
This is Mahikeng, the provincial capital. The city received a fair share of rain even prior to yesterday’s deluge.
This is in Mahikeng YET SUPRA wants to spend R6 million on a STATUE #CrymybelovedCountry# pic.twitter.com/sbMqQfuVvK
— OFENTSE (@otakadi717) February 21, 2017
@eNCA @SABCNewsOnline . This is Maftown Mahikeng pic.twitter.com/fLeevIYsoZ
— #TheAudioChef (@djphatk) February 21, 2017
Phokeng, south of Sun City and north-west of Rustenburg, looks like a disaster zone.
Phokeng is under water @Rusty pic.twitter.com/VH8w44DujF
— Karabo Motswadi (@KMotswadi) February 22, 2017
What happened last night due to the rain in Rustenburg (PHokeng) and a child lost a life pic.twitter.com/xAJncB6R0e
— Thips (@KevinMotswakae) February 22, 2017
While the city streets are flooded, the province’s dams are also remarkably full. This is Vaalkop Dam, currently over 120% full. The Vaal Dam is reportedly around 81% full.
More rain for the North West incoming?
According to the South African Weather Service, around 60mm of further rainfall could fall in Rustenburg until Wednesday next week, with the chance of rainfall hovering between 30% and 60%.
North West Today ‘s Weather overview: 23.2.2017 pic.twitter.com/SnxT1c597n
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) February 23, 2017
Warnings are still in effect for the eastern portions of the North West, with the Weather Service expecting even more rain in the area today.
