Severe weather alert for the weekend: KZN residents warned of thunderstorms and heavy rain
The South African Weather Service issues urgent weather warnings for severe thunderstorms and heavy rain in KwaZulu-Natal this weekend.
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The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has urged residents across the province to prepare for disruptive weather conditions, after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued concurrent Level 2 and Level 4 severe weather warnings.
The alerts cover the period from Saturday, 15 November to Monday, 17 November, as a cut-off low pressure system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms.
According to the department, the following municipalities fall under the Level 4 warning, which is expected to bring the most severe impacts. These include:
- Abaqulusi
- Alfred Duma
- Dannhauser
- eDumbe
- eMadlangeni
- Endumeni
- Greater Kokstad
- Impendle
- Inkosi Langalibalele
- Jozini
- Mpofana
- Msinga
- Mthonjaneni
- Newcastle
- Nkandla
- Nongoma
- Nquthu
- Okhahlamba
- Richmond
- Msunduzi
- Ubuhlebezwe
- Ulundi
- uMngeni
- uMshwathi
Areas falling under the Level 2 warning, which indicates a moderate risk of weather-related disruption, include Big Five Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mtubatuba, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, Umhlabuyalingana, uMhlathuze, uMlalazi, and Umzumbe.
Cogta MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, appealed to communities to prioritise safety, with a particular focus on travel and flood-prone areas.
“We advise residents to limit travel and avoid crossing low-lying bridges. Disaster management teams are on standby in all affected municipalities to respond to any incidents that may arise,” he said.
The department said the provincial Disaster Management Centre has been fully activated, and all municipal disaster management units have been placed on high alert.
Cogta also confirmed that it is coordinating with the Department of Transport, Department of Social Development, the Road Traffic Inspectorate, and municipal traffic services, as well as SANRAL and Eskom.
These entities have been instructed to prepare for possible road closures, power outages, and infrastructure damage.
The province has experienced significant weather-related disasters associated with similar systems in the past. In April 2022, a cut-off low system contributed to widespread flooding that resulted in loss of life and extensive damage to homes, roads, and public infrastructure.
Cogta noted the potential hazards for the coming days may include flooding of low-lying areas, severe thunderstorms with strong winds and hail, disruptions to electricity and water services, and dangerous road conditions with reduced visibility.
Residents have been urged to monitor updates from SAWS, follow instructions from local authorities, and contact their nearest disaster management centre to report emergencies.