Rain could bring relief, but not enough to solve water problems

A week-long forecast for rain in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga could bring relief from the heat, but might be insufficient to solve water shortages or the drought.

This was as inclement weather and hail left a trail of damage in parts of Limpopo, Pretoria and the East Rand on Monday.

A video has also emerged of a car apparently trapped in a heavy downpour in Pretoria West.

South African Weather Service forecaster Elisabeth Webster told News24 there was a good chance of showers and thundershowers with the possibility of severe thunderstorms in the three provinces for the rest of the week.

"The rain will help alleviate the heat and there will be cooler temperatures," she said.

Parts of the country, including Gauteng, experienced a heatwave last week with temperatures in some areas exceeding 40°C.

North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga have been declared disaster areas. Some areas in Gauteng experienced water shortages.

Webster said Springs on the East Rand experienced the highest rainfall during Monday's downpour with 44,6ml. Pretoria had 23,4ml and the OR Tambo International Airport 15,6ml.

While there was hail in parts of Limpopo, the province did not experience significant rainfall.

Johannesburg environment and infrastructure mayoral committee member Matshidiso Mfikoe told News24 while the rain could bring some relief, it would not be enough to fundamentally shift the city's situation where demand often exceeded supply.

"It will relieve us somehow, but we still need to save."

Large hailstones, some almost the size of tennis balls, and the stormy weather wreaked havoc in Limpopo and the East Rand on Monday.

In Brakpan, at least eight cars were reportedly trapped under the fallen roof of a Caltex station.

Netcare 911 said no-one was injured in the incident.

Source: News24