Johannesburg is facing a battering from severe weather! The SA Weather Service has issued warnings for heavy rains, thunderstorms, and potential localised flooding across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and parts of the Eastern Cape. Residents and motorists are urged to be extra vigilant.
Gauteng Hit Hard: Power Outages and Road Closures
Heavy rains have already wreaked havoc in Gauteng, with City Power reporting over 2,000 calls from frustrated residents on Monday morning alone. The sustained rainfall is putting a severe strain on the electricity supply, leading to widespread outages.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena explained that the wet weather conditions are increasing the number of outages and hampering restoration efforts. Teams are struggling to access waterlogged areas, and closed roads are further complicating repairs.
"Several roads have been closed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency [JRA] due to flooding, particularly in Roodepoort and Lenasia. Fallen trees in Hursthill, Parkview, and Randburg have blocked access routes and, in some cases, snapped overhead lines, causing additional outages," Mangena said.
What to Expect Today and Tomorrow
The forecast for today and tomorrow (November 18-19, 2025) predicts isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers over the central and eastern parts of the country. A Yellow level 2 warning is in place for severe thunderstorms, indicating a high likelihood of minor impact.
Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela advises caution, especially around the lowveld. While cloudy conditions and cold temperatures are expected to persist in Gauteng, the adverse weather conditions are expected to decrease from tomorrow.
- Stay informed: Keep an eye on weather updates from the SA Weather Service.
- Drive safely: Avoid submerged roads and bridges.
- Report outages: Contact City Power to report any power outages.
- Be prepared: Have emergency supplies ready in case of flooding or prolonged power outages.
Stay safe, Joburg! And remember to check back with newsrpt.com for the latest weather updates.