Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality said that it had a Joint Operations Centre in place on Saturday to monitor flooding in low lying areas following heavy overnight rain.
It is being done to assess persistent overnight rain, in anticipation of a flood warning by the South African Weather Services in low lying areas and low level crossings.
On Friday, the Municipality also issued an advisory regarding possible mudslides in areas that were affected by recent vegetation fires.
Preliminary figures released early Saturday indicate good rainfall at some of the Metros supply dams. The Municipality said 19mm fell at Elandsjagt dam while 16mm and 35mm were recorded at the Churchill and Loerie Dams respectively.
The Metro however cautioned that this does not mean that the drought had been broken and urged residents to continue using water sparingly
The Municipality urged the public to heed the following precautions:
1. If possible stay indoors and off the roads, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles.
2. If trapped in flooding in a vehicle, abandon it and climb to higher ground. In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level. Switch off electricity at the supply point to the building.
3. In rural areas protect/relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground. Abandon your home immediately if evacuation is recommended, before access is cut off by flood water.
4. NEVER drive on a road covered by water. You do not know how deep it is or if the road has been washed away. If the vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Be especially cautious at night when it's harder to recognize flood dangers.
5. Heed official instructions from Disaster Management Officials and follow media statements, including social media postings, to stay abreast with new developments.
