SAWS Issues Level 2 Warning for Severe Thunderstorms in South Africa Until 24 December
- The South African Weather Service issued a warning for thunderstorms to be expected in parts of South Africa
- The storms will be accompanied by heavy rainfall, with some parts of the country experiencing hail and damaging winds
- South Africans were happy for the rain, but some complained that the thunderstorms were too excessive
- Arrive Alive's spokesperson, Advocate Johan Jonck, spoke to Briefly News about how motorists can keep safe during the wet conditions
- COPE's Polokwane councillor Erick Mohlapamaswi told Briefly News that rural areas are under threat, and the DA also spoke to Briefly News
For seven years, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather and natural disaster-related incidents at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
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JOHANNESBURG—South Africans have been warned to prepare for another bout of severe rainfall and thunderstorms. The South African Weather Service warned that more rain and thundershowers will follow what the country experienced on 15 December 2024.
SAWS issues weather warning
The South African Weather Service issued a Level 2 Warning for severe thunderstorms in parts of Gauteng, the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The provinces will experience excessive lightning and severe thunderstorms, followed by heavy rainfall and possible hail.
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The weather conditions, which began with a heatwave in early December, are expected to persist until Christmas Eve. The central and eastern parts will expect more severe weather conditions, including disruptive thunderstorms.
Arrive Alive speaks to Briefly News
Speaking to Briefly News, Arrive Alive's spokesperson, Advocate Johan Jonck, gave motorists a few tips on how to keep safe while travelling in wet conditions.
"It is important to remember that the speed limit is not a guaranteed safe speed— 100km/h or 60km/ h in bad weather conditions may be a dangerous speed. We strive to provide more info and warnings. Remember the golden rules when driving in bad weather: reduce speed, drive with the lights on, increase the following distances, and don't drive distracted," he said.
Jonck noted that 45% of road fatalities involve pedestrians, and in rainy weather, pedestrians walk on the roadside closer to traffic where it is not muddy. He called on motorists to be more alert to pedestrian activity in reduced visibility.
Polokwane not ready, councillor tells Briefly News
COPE's Polokwane councillor Erick Mohlapamaswi told Briefly News that while the city structures may withstand Level 2 conditions, peri-urban and rural areas cannot withstand Level 2 conditions.
"There is a flood drainage system in the city, and the same cannot be said about the communities at the periphery. Most, if not all, villages were not adequately surveyed, whereas other settlements are byproducts of political defiance wherein some leaders urged people to occupy land by force," he said.
Ethekwini a far cry: DA
The Democratic Alliance's eThekwini spokesperson, Yogis Govender, told Briefly News that eThekwini's infrastructure is ill-prepared to handle the heavy rainfall.
"Ethekwini municipality is still a far cry from being ready to Deal with adverse weather conditions that have disastrous effects on communities. The assistance is always lacking and needs assistance from NPOs and community organizations," she said.
South Africans celebrate rain
Facebook netizens were ecstatic that there would be more rain. Some were nervous, though, that thunderstorms would accompany the rainfall.
Nthabi Mopeli said:
"We are already experiencing this here in Maluti-A-Phofung, and the next thing we will be out of electricity until the next year."
Timmy Timmy said:
"I love the fact that during the day, we have some sunshine, and later at night, it rains in Johannesburg."
Robinson Maakana said:
"Let it rain. We are burning here, and no one should complain because no one can make it rain."
Valeria Anderson asked:
"Why the thunderstorm? Can't it rain peacefully?"
Errol Whip Ester said:
'"Nature does as nature pleases, but I've been reading that this severe weather is man-made."
Residents must monitor weather before ceremonies: EMS
In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services warned residents to be mindful of the weather before they do water-based rituals.
It warned them in November that December would be a wet month and the chances of flooding could be high. Community members who perform rituals in water must keep a close eye on the weather.
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Source: Briefly News
