KZN Braces for Dangerous Flooding as Orange Level 6 Warning Issued

• The South African Weather Service issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rainfall along the KZN south coast and nearby inland areas
• KZN authorities activated the Disaster Joint Operations Centre, with municipalities instructed to prepare emergency spaces for displaced residents
• Several other provinces, including the Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape, were placed under separate weather warnings for Thursday and Friday

KWAZULU-NATAL — The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rainfall along the KwaZulu-Natal south coast and surrounding inland areas, cautioning that conditions could force some communities to evacuate as the province heads into Friday.

The warning indicates a serious risk of flooding to roads, formal and informal settlements, with livestock, livelihoods and infrastructure all potentially affected. An additional Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rain was issued for eastern and southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

Multiple provinces under weather warnings

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The severe weather system extended beyond KZN. The eastern and northern Free State, north-western KwaZulu-Natal and the southern Highveld of Mpumalanga were placed under a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms on Thursday, with SAWS cautioning that heavy rain, damaging winds, excessive lightning and hail were all possible. Localised flooding and dangerous driving conditions could not be ruled out.

Parts of the Eastern Cape were put under a Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain, with flooding possible in settlements and along low-lying bridges. In the Northern Cape and northern Western Cape, a Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds was in effect, with SAWS noting that strong gusts could hinder driving and disrupt electricity and communications. Cold, wet and windy conditions were anticipated across KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape.

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KZN authorities activate emergency protocols

Heavy rain had already been recorded across parts of KwaZulu-Natal by Thursday morning. Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed that the Road Traffic Inspectorate had logged significant rainfall around Estcourt and along the N3, urging motorists to reduce speed, increase following distance and exercise caution.

The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs activated its Disaster Joint Operations Centre in anticipation of possible flooding. MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said municipalities had been directed to identify and prepare safe spaces should residents in flood-prone areas need to be relocated. He urged the public to heed official warnings and cooperate with emergency personnel.

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In eThekwini, disaster management, fire and emergency services, Metro Police and municipal response teams were placed on standby. Officials were actively monitoring waterways, vulnerable communities, roads and key infrastructure throughout the region.

Cold snap grips SA

Briefly News also reported that SAWS indicated that unsettled conditions were expected to persist into Saturday, with showers and thundershowers likely across several areas and widespread rain possible in the south-east. Light snowfall over high-lying parts of the Western Cape was also anticipated.The Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape bore the brunt of the bitter conditions, with some areas forecast to turn very cold.

Source: Briefly News