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Two people were struck by lightning in Gauteng.
- A woman died in Melville, Johannesburg, on Monday after being struck by lightning.
- In another incident, a man died after being struck by lightning in Elandsfontein.
- The South African Meteorological Services has issued a warning for thunderstorms in Gauteng.
The severe thunderstorms that hit Gauteng Monday afternoon killed two people after they were struck by lightning in separate incidents.
A woman in her 30s was struck by lightning and subsequently died around 4:30 p.m. in Melville, Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokeswoman Nana Radebe confirmed to News24.
Radebe said the woman was struck by lightning at the corner of Main and 2North Dakota road in Melville. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
At around 4:55 p.m. also on Monday, ER24 paramedics arrived at a farm in Elandsfontein, near Alberton, where a man in his 30s was struck and killed by lightning.
ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said paramedics found the man motionless in a field surrounded by his colleagues.
“Doctors evaluated the man and found that he had shown [sic] there are no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for him and he was pronounced dead, “Meiring said.
Warning
The South African Meteorological Service issued a warning for severe thunderstorms in Gauteng until Monday night, also warning of possible flooding, especially in low-lying areas, hail and reduced visibility on roads.
He warned that localized flooding and flash flooding were expected during peak traffic in Gauteng and at night.
?? Traffic Warning Traffic is slow on the N1 South between Maraisburg and the N17 due to flooding, drivers are advised to be careful, slow down their vehicle and maintain a safe following distance. #JHBTraffic pic.twitter.com/YHYGYWKQSd
– Jo’burg Metro Police Department – JMPD (@JoburgMPD) October 5, 2020
The SAWS report also noted that excessive lightning can cause power surges and instructed residents to seek shelter indoors away from metal structures during the storm.
Flood
By Monday afternoon, Radebe said they had received reports of localized flooding and that the M1 road near New Town was flooded causing it to close.
It has since been drained and reopened.
There were also reports of downed trees in Florida and Roodepoort.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Wayne Minnaar told News24 that flooding was also reported on Klipspruit Valley Road in Soweto.
Ekurhuleni EMS spokesman William Ntladi said that as of Monday night there had been no reported flooding or other incidents related to the storm.
Tshwane EMS spokesman Charles Mabaso said he had not received any reports of flooding, but that they were monitoring flood-prone areas.
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