HEAVY storms left several families homeless in various parts of Tshwane. On Tuesday, 20 February, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) held an engagement session with vulnerable groups.
SAWS discussed ways that could help save lives, livelihoods and property from the effects of severe weather events.
At the meeting held on Thursday, 22 February, lead scientist at SAWS, Dr Miriam Murambadoro, said they have been going around in different communities as part of an outreach programme to get people to understand the work of the SAWS.
She said the key to avoiding disastrous situations is to be informed.
"Getting information earlier, such as checking the SAWS smart app because there's a forecast for the next seven days to be better prepared to ensure that the home is safe. There's a number of activities that people can do before events happen, such as not crossing rivers or securing a roof, especially for those living in informal settlements," she said.
Murambadoro added that it was important for communities to become aware of weather information because it's everyone's right to know early warnings and how to prepare for it.
"All this bad weather we've been experiencing forms part of climate change and variability. In terms of extreme weather events, they're driven by climate systems.
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For Mzansi, Tshwane, in particular, during summer months, we're more likely to get heatwaves and flooding incidents, which are driven by climate variability whereby the number of extremes becomes more frequent, then the intensity becomes high and the damage that they cause also becomes higher," she said.
Ward 76 councillor Mavis Kekana said she was having a challenge with stormwater drainage in her area. Flooding becomes a headache during the rainy season.
She said the D613 Road from Majaneng to Suurman causes chaos as residents experience flooding due to this road that is now old.
Resident Elizabeth Mogorosi said climate change came with a lot of challenges as compared to when people were still relying on indigenous knowledge. She said in the olden days, "there were signs before it rained, and also, one could tell what type of rain was coming".
"In this era, we're living in, things have changed, and that's why we're having so many disasters because everything happens so fast, sometimes without warnings," Elizabeth said.
