Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
26 July 2023 | 11:30am SAST
2 min read

Picture: News24

The City of Joburg has worked hard in the wake of the explosion that damaged parts of Lilian Ngoyi Street in the city centre. They have released regular updates on the situation, used state-of-the-art technology to assess the damage, tested the air and water supply in the area, provided hot meals and water to affected residents and have had operators on-site around the clock since the blast.

The City of Joburg identified three possible causes of the blast and declared the buildings in the area as structurally sound as early as 20 July 2023. The ignition of methane gas in underground stormwater systems, the ignition of natural gas mixed with oxygen in underground stormwater drainage systems, and the ignition of gas from a burst pipe were identified as three possible causes of the eruption.

In a media announcement in Newtown, City manager Floyd Brink released an update about the progress of the investigations and the city’s response to the blast. Brink reassured residents that it would be unnecessary to evacuate buildings around the scene, and declared the buildings as structurally sound for occupation.

It was also revealed that Egoli Gas completely shut down its gas pipes on the evening of 20 July 2023 to prevent further potential problems.

Additionally, the air was tested by environmental services and air quality controllers and declared as uncompromised by the gas leak.

Other measures by the city included the deployment of Emergency Management Services (EMS) to the area, as well as the disruption of water supply. Water tankers and mobile ablution facilities were then deployed to provide alternatives for residents.

To date, Johannesburg Water has deployed 25 chemical toilets, five stationary tanks and four roaming water tankers for residents, according to a News24 report. The City reassured residents of the imminent return of water and electricity supply to the area, and explained that lingering gas in the area has slowed the recovery process.

In the meantime, the Disaster Management and Social Development teams arranged with Meals on Wheels to provide warm meals for residents. A total of 600 meals per day have been provided since Friday, 21 July 2023.

Reports reveal that technicians are using ground-penetrating radar to access the ground beneath the site, and utilising cutting-edge equipment to plan out the tunnel.

Positive-pressure ventilation fans have been used by the city’s emergency management team to release trapped gas in the subsurface system. The city has taken precautions against infrastructure theft by welding several manholes shut. These will be opened once the gas is cleared.

Journalist Ferial Haffajee praised the efforts of the City of Joburg in a tweet yesterday:

https://twitter.com/ferialhaffajee/status/1683870494406180867?s=20

Source: News24