The Jukskei River overflowed due to heavy rainfall in Johannesburg, South Africa. 9 people from the group performing religious rituals on the river bank lost their lives and 15 people went missing. Johannesburg City Emergency Management Services Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said in a statement, “When the storm broke out last night, a group of people were attending a religious service on the river”, adding that search and rescue efforts continue. Mulaudzi also stated that the missing persons may have left the area with the onset of the storm, and explained that they met with those who attended the ceremony to remove the uncertainty.
A flood in the shallow Jukskei River in November 2016 flooded hundreds of makeshift homes in the city of Alexandria. (UAV)