Gauteng rescuers on high flood alert

Emergency services are on high alert following persistent rain in the past two days.

"We'll be on even higher alert since schools are closing today," said William Ntladi, City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesman.

"Parents should make sure that their children can be picked up from school to avoid them taking short cuts over streams, spruits and dams, which increases the chances of drowning," he said.

Johan Pieterse of Tshwane's emergency services urged parents to prohibit children from playing in the street, especially in areas where there are puddles.

Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi highlighted Dieplsoot, Kya Sands, Alexandra and Kliptown as other areas of concern.

"These are part of the country's 100 low-lying areas affected most by ongoing rain as they are close to the Klip and Jukskei rivers and most likely to flood."

Motorists were urged to be extra cautious on the roads.

"There will be more road users as a result of the long weekend and schools closing," said Pieterse.

Victoria Nurse, a forecaster with the SA Weather Service, said the rain would subside at the weekend.