TimesLIVE reports that Gauteng Metrorail train services are facing intermittent disruptions due to the recent torrential rains, with some railway infrastructure, including tunnels and platforms, having flooded.

The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) said flooding had affected train stations including Silverton and Belle Ombre and rail corridors. Prasa spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng said response and mitigation measures technical teams have been immediately deployed to assess damage, pump out excess water and perform emergency repairs where necessary. Tracks have been flooded at the Leralla station resulting in trains turning to Limindlela station in Thembisa. Platforms flooded, affecting the movement of trains, include between Industria and Westbury (Johannesburg — Randfontein); Kliptown and Tshiawelo (Midway — Johannesburg); Merafe — Dube (Naledi — Johannesburg); Grosvenor — Mayfair (Naledi/Midway/Randfontein — Johannesburg) and Johannesburg — George Goch (Germiston — Johannesburg). The waterlogged Perway infrastructure has rendered certain network sections temporarily impassable, forcing a speed restriction of up to 15km/h for safety reasons. The emergence of a sinkhole at Braamfontein Yard, a collapsed embankment between Pinedene and Irene, level crossing flooding at Pienaarspoort station and flooding at Wolmerton depot are further complicating train movement and operations and affecting maintenance activities.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at SowetanLive
• Read too, Flooding forces temporary closure of three South African ports of entry, at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page