The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says its disaster management teams are on high alert and prepared to respond to emergencies as severe thunderstorms and damaging winds have been forecast in the province.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued several impact-based warnings for the weekend due to a well-defined upper-air system (cut-off low) that was expected to pass over the western parts of the country at the weekend and is expected to exit South Africa on Tuesday, 29 October.
INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST IN KWAZULU-NATAL
The weather service said severe thunderstorms leading to hail, damaging winds and heavy downpours are expected over the north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern parts of Mpumalanga and the central and south-eastern parts of Limpopo.
These thunderstorms could cause localised flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, and the strong winds may damage property and infrastructure.
KZN Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said residents are urged to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and protect their property.
This includes avoiding crossing flooded roads and bridges, securing any loose items that could be blown away by the wind, and staying indoors during the storm if possible.
“Our Disaster Management teams are on high alert and prepared to respond to emergencies,” Mzila said.
CUT-OFF LOW TO CAUSE RAIN, STRONG WINDS AND THUNDERSTORMS
In addition, SAWS said the cut-off low is expected to be accompanied by strong to near gale-force winds (55 to 65 km/h) over the Cape provinces but fresh to strong (30 to 50 km/h) over North West, Gauteng, the Free State, and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 27 October, ceasing by Monday, 28 October.
This can damage settlements (informal/formal), cause poor driving conditions that can affect transport routes (N1 and N3), and cause problems for high-sided vehicles affected by winds, falling trees, and possibly blowing sand and dust.
DO YOU HEED WEATHER WARNINGS?
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