Flooded Roads November 2025: Commute Safely | CrabaRide

November 2025 Floods: How SA Commuters Can Stay Mobile

Heavy rains and widespread flooding have hit KwaZulu-Natal, with over 100 mm of rain recorded in some areas and roads in Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and beyond under water[1][3]. For thousands of South African commuters, these flooded roads in November 2025 mean delays, detours, and daily uncertainty. But there is a solution that’s helping work lift clubs, students, and everyday commuters bypass trouble spots and save money: carpooling through CrabaRide.

The Current Situation: Flooded Roads and Disrupted Commutes

November 2025 has brought some of the worst flooding South Africa has seen all year, especially in KZN.

Several suburbs in Durban and Pietermaritzburg have reported streets turned to rivers, with surface water, mud, and debris making roads treacherous or completely impassable[1][3].

Emergency services have urged residents to avoid low-lying areas and listen to safety instructions. In New Hanover, houses were submerged and nearly 100 families displaced after the river burst its banks[1][6].

Weather warnings remain in effect for more rain and possible storms not only in KwaZulu-Natal, but in parts of Gauteng and the North West as well[2][7]. The risk of more flooded roads, traffic jams, and accidents is high.

How This Affects SA Commuters

Flooded roads in November 2025 have made the daily commute during floods a real headache.

• Taxi and combi routes are often forced to detour, doubling travel times or leaving passengers stranded when drivers refuse to risk deep water.

• Private car owners face dangerous driving conditions, from hidden potholes to stalled vehicles at robots (traffic lights).

• Lift clubs and workplace carpools struggle to coordinate as regular routes like the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, or the M1 in Joburg, become unpredictable.

For many, the cost of getting to work or campus has spiked. A Sandton to Midrand hike, which might usually take 25 minutes, can stretch to over an hour as traffic diverts around flooded highways.

In areas like Soweto, Umlazi, or Khayelitsha, where informal settlements are hit hardest, residents often have to rely on neighbours or informal hike lifts just to get their children to school or reach the shop[4].

CrabaRide’s Solution: Safe Carpooling South Africa Can Trust

When floods throw SA’s public transport into chaos, reliable, safe carpooling becomes a lifeline.

CrabaRide is South Africa’s trusted carpooling and lift club platform. It connects drivers and passengers for safe, verified rides—helping you bypass flooded roads and make sure everyone arrives, even when taxis and buses can’t[4].

Here’s how CrabaRide meets the challenge:

• Real-time route updates: Drivers and passengers can adjust pickup points to avoid road closures, mudslides, or traffic jams caused by the weather.

• Verified profiles: Every driver and passenger is verified, with reviews and safety checks, so you can trust who you’re sharing your ride with.

• Flexible matching: Whether you need a single trip from Durban North to Umhlanga or a daily lift club from Pretoria East to Centurion, CrabaRide matches you with local commuters facing the same flooded routes.

• Shared costs: By splitting the fare, members save up to 70% on commuting costs, even if regular taxis or rideshare prices spike during weather emergencies.

During the recent KZN floods, CrabaRide users reported being able to coordinate alternate routes via the app, sharing live updates about which robots were flooded or where combis were stuck, so everyone could get to work safely and on time.

Practical Steps: How to Commute During Floods With Carpooling

If you’re facing flooded roads this November, here’s how to use safe carpooling in South Africa to keep moving:

• Download CrabaRide and register: Set up your profile, verify your details, and mark your usual routes—whether it’s Cape Town CBD to Bellville, or Joburg CBD to Sandton.

• Check local updates: Use the app’s community feed or trusted social media to see which routes are open or closed. Information from other commuters is often faster than official channels.

• Create or join a lift club: Post your required route or join an existing one. For example, if the N2 near Durban is flooded, look for a detour via the M4 or post an alert to your group.

• Communicate with your group: Use in-app chat to update each other on which robots are out, where there’s standing water, or if you’ll be delayed. Decide on safe pickup points that are above flood lines.

• Plan for flexibility: Weather changes fast. Have backup options—maybe a different driver, or a hike from a safer meeting spot.

• Follow safety tips: Never cross deep or fast-moving water, even in a car. If a road is closed, respect the barriers. Keep your phone charged and emergency contacts handy.

Safety and Trust: Addressing Common Concerns

It’s natural to worry about sharing lifts, especially during extreme weather. CrabaRide addresses these concerns head-on:

• Trust and verification: Every user is identity-checked. Reviews and ratings build transparency—no more guessing if your hike or taxi is safe.

• Community safety: Report issues or unsafe behaviour directly in the app. CrabaRide’s support team prioritises commuter safety, especially during emergencies.

• Women’s safety: Options for women-only lift clubs, so you can carpool with peace of mind.

• Cost savings: With petrol and diesel prices rising, a Sandton to Midrand commute can cost R200/day solo, but just R60-80 in a CrabaRide lift club.

• Insurance: Some drivers offer additional coverage for passengers—check each listing for details.

Real SA Scenarios: How Commuters Are Staying Mobile

Here are a few examples of how South Africans are using carpooling to beat the floods:

• A group of nurses from Umlazi to Addington Hospital pooled rides on CrabaRide, updating each other on flooded taxi ranks and switching to a safer route via the M7.

• In Centurion, a daily lift club rerouted their morning commute when the Hennops River burst its banks, saving everyone over an hour by avoiding a blocked highway.

• Students from Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain used CrabaRide to connect with drivers heading to UCT, sharing costs and avoiding unreliable taxis during the worst of the Cape Town rains.

Why Safe Carpooling South Africa Matters More Than Ever

Climate change is making floods more frequent and severe[4]. Government support is often slow or patchy, especially in informal settlements and townships[4]. For millions, carpooling is not just about saving money—it’s about access to jobs, education, and essentials, even when the weather turns dangerous.

By building community lift clubs, we make sure nobody is left behind at the robot or stranded by a flooded taxi rank.

Get Started: Join CrabaRide and Keep Moving

Flooded roads in November 2025 don’t have to stop your life or cost you a fortune.

• Download the CrabaRide app today.
• Register and find a lift club or post your route.
• Connect with local commuters, share updates, and keep safe—no matter the weather.

Whether you’re in Durban, Joburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, or anywhere in-between, CrabaRide puts safe, reliable transport in your hands. Don’t wait for the next storm—join South Africa’s carpooling community and keep your commute moving, whatever the weather.

Ready to beat the floods and save on your daily commute? Join CrabaRide now and see how easy safe carpooling in South Africa can be.