Motorists urged to be cautious after several Eastern Cape areas hit by flooding

Eastern Cape authorities are on high alert after several areas were hit by heavy rain on Monday, resulting in flooding and mudslides.

Some routes were temporarily closed, as a precaution, as authorities cleared the debris.

In East London, several routes were flooded, while fallen trees had blocked traffic in suburbs like Gonubie.

Eastern Cape's transport department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said the N10 road, near Cradock, had to be temporarily closed to traffic in the early hours on Monday morning after flooding made it difficult for motorists to drive.

"Road users and motorists, in particular, are urged to be extra cautious on Eastern Cape roads as heavy downpours and steady rains, with poor visibility in some areas, continue to pummel the province. This is making for less-than-ideal driving conditions as roads are wet and slippery," said Binqose.

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The department warned there was a stationary truck obstructing traffic on the R67, between Makhanda and Fort Beaufort, as well as an accident on the N2 between Makhanda and Gqeberha.

Buffalo City Metro's spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya, warned motorists not to attempt to cross flooded bridges and streets, but to use alternative roads.

"Our disaster management teams are attending to all areas that have experienced severity as a result of the flash flood," said Ngwenya.