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How far would you go to avoid missing a flight?
Your ticket is booked, your bags are packed, and you drive to the airport on time - everything is perfectly set. Then nature intervenes. A powerful storm rolls in, roads flood, and chaos follows.
That was the situation two travellers in Johannesburg recently found themselves in. Filmed wading through floodwaters near OR Tambo International Airport, the pair appeared determined not to let anything derail their journey.
While their identities and destinations remain unknown, one thing is clear: they were unwilling to let even rising water stand in the way of their flight.
A video went viral showing them walking through waist-deep floodwaters at OR Tambo International Airport in a desperate attempt to catch their flight. The viral video shows them clutching their luggage with water reaching their waists. Around them, cars sat immobilised, unable to pass through the submerged roadway. While some bigger vehicles managed to drive through, smaller cars struggled to navigate the conditions.
The incident reportedly took place on Friday. Earlier in the day, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Friday from 2 pm until midnight. The storm swept across Johannesburg, causing widespread flooding that severely affected OR Tambo International Airport and surrounding areas. Images and videos quickly flooded social media, showing vehicles stranded in deep water and long traffic backlogs on surrounding roads. Motorists trying to reach the airport also encountered heavy congestion.
Some terminals were briefly impacted, with some access points temporarily restricted.
Despite heavy rains and flooding, OR Tambo’s operations continued as normal. Flights remained on schedule, and no major delays were reported on any airport's social media platforms or websites.
Flooding in Johannesburg
Over the past couple of months, Johannesburg has been experiencing repeated flooding incidents following heavy rainfall, which started around October. On Friday, the rains began around 2 p.m. and were initially expected to last until midnight. However, parts of the city continued to experience heavy rain well into Saturday and Sunday.
Residents are being urged to remain cautious, avoid flooded roads, and confirm that destinations are operating normally before travelling.
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