Heatwave: Gauteng residents warned to stay out of the sun and hydrate
Gauteng residents have been warned to brace for a heatwave across several parts of the province.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) said hot temperatures were expected in the province from Wednesday.
“Heatwave conditions resulting in persistently high temperatures, exceeding average maximum are expected in places over Gauteng and the eastern parts of the North West until Friday.”
The mercury is expected to hit the high thirties in some areas.
High temperatures
Johannesburg
Temperatures in Johannesburg are forecast to start off at a minimum of 12°C becoming very hot and reaching a high of 35°C on Friday.
Pretoria
Pretoria is also expected to be hot with scorching temperatures starting with a minimum of 15°C becoming very hot and reaching a high of 37°C on Friday.
The SA Weather Service also warned of an extremely high UV index.
Emergency services
Meanwhile, Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) has taken note of the heatwave conditions.
Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi has urged residents to take precautions.
“It’s extremely hot in most parts of the City of Johannesburg. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, drink lots of water and stay away from direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm in the afternoon.
“Those who are working directly in the sunlight are urged to take regular breaks and the elderly who are on medication to stay in cool areas because exposure to this extremely hot temperatures can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, “Mulaudzi said.
Mulaudzi said they will remain on high alert for any eventuality during the scorching weather conditions.
Load shedding
While the hot weather is also likely put pressure on the electricity grid as people use various appliances, including aircons, to keep cool, Eskom has kept load shedding at bay.
The parastatal suspended load shedding until 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to the power utility’s latest update, the rolling blackouts will return to stage 1 in the evenings, with day-time suspension until Friday. This pattern will repeat until further notice, Eskom said.
In other news – Sbu Mpisane dragged into MaMkhize’s tax troubles as Sars targets their shared assets
The estranged husband of businesswoman Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, Sbu Mpisane has found himself entangled in her tax problems with the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Sunday World has exclusively learned that SARS served Mpisane with a writ of execution to seize movable assets from the house he resides in KwaZulu-Natal. Despite their separation several years ago, Mkhize and Mpisane have not officially divorced and are still legally married in a community of property. Read More
