SAWDOS receive emergency call for help from trapped person due to Tropical Storm Dando

The SAWDOS received the following Twitter message from Majawonke on the 17 January 2012.  He indicated that he was trapped as a result of the Tropical Storm Dando. The SAWDOS responded accordingly but no answer was received from Majowonke as to his exact location and whether his life was in danger. No reply was received in response to the SAWDOS Twitter message. Hamnet was alerted but with no location it is nearly impossible to initiate a search and rescue mission. Thankfully all turned out well and a Twitter message was received from Majowonke on the 18 January 2012 that he was no longer trapped.

17 Jan 2012:
Majawonke Themba Ntuli wrote:
@SAWDOS1 I am trapped in tropical storm dando they are floods in othes areas worldweatherpost.com/2012/01/16/tro…

17 Jan 2012:
SAWDOS1 wrote:
Where are you trapped? (Area and exact place.) Are your life in danger? @SAWDOS1
17 Jan at 13:24

18 Jan 2012:
Majawonke Themba Ntuli wrote:
@SAWDOS1 thanx i have managed to get of the situation it was a blocked road at the komazi area,thank u.

18 Jan 2012:
SAWDOS1 S.A. WX & DISASTERS wrote:
RT @majawonke: @SAWDOS1 thanx i have managed to get of the situation it was a blocked road at the komazi area,thank u. Glad you got out!!

I was'nt sure if this was a hoax or a real situation. Well one should not ignore such messages as Majawonke's life might have been in danger. I looked at his profile on Twitter and Facebook for possible further information while waiting for his reply to my question about his exact location at the time. With no further information it was practically impossible to act until such time as he came back with further information.

Lesson to learn: Treat every request for assistance during natural disasters as a real time emergency situation unless proven otherwise. The way people request assistance has changed since social media made it's appearance. During the winter of  2011 the SAWDOS received a similar request from a man.  He indicated on Twitter that his family was trapped in the Van Rhenen's Pass as a result of heavy snowfall in the area. The SAWDOS responded accordingly and forward the information to the relevant authorities. The man's family was rescued and brought to safety. The joy and jubilation afterwards was overwhelming for both SAWDOS and the man.

Just goes to show, never be complacent when receiving a call for assistance. Your action and follow up can save lives.  The SAWDOS is glad that Majawonke's life was not in danger and that he managed to get out of the situation before it deteriorated.

- SAWDOS