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11 months ago
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Vehicles try to get through mud in Riverside road on April 12, 2022 in Durban during heavy rains and flooding.
Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
- A weather warning has been issued for the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
- Residents can expect severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours that could lead to flooding.
- Authorities are on high alert.
KwaZulu-Natal authorities are on high alert after the SA Weather Service (SAWS) warned of severe weather in the northern parts of the province.
The Level 5 alert warned of severe thunderstorms from 10:00 to 23:00 on Tuesday.
Widespread showers and thundershowers are anticipated in most parts of the province.
According to SAWS, the severe thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by heavy downpours, leading to flooding in some areas.
The municipalities that are expected to be impacted include the Abaqulusi, Alfred Duma, Ladysmith, Dannhauser, eDumbe, eMadlangeni, Endumeni, Msinga, Mthonjaneni, Newcastle, Nkandla, Nongoma, Nquthu, Ulundi, and uPhongolo municipalities.
The KwaZulu-Natal Cogta department has "activated all disaster management teams in the mentioned municipalities and a joint operation cluster that involves all stakeholders", according to department spokesperson Nonala Ndlovu.
Ndlovu encouraged the public to take proactive safety measures to minimise the impact of the thunderstorms.
Ndlovu added:
Areas that are low-lying are at high risk due to the heavy downpours expected. We advise residents to relocate to safer areas and stay indoors. If outdoors, seek shelter immediately, but avoid hiding under trees, telephone poles, and power lines.
Motorists are also advised to refrain from travelling during this period.
Last month, the province was lashed by heavy rains, which saw 44mm of rainfall in just 12 hours in Durban and surrounds.
In July, severe weather resulted in the death of seven people, and another seven went missing.
News24 previously reported that about 70 houses in eThekwini were completely destroyed and a further 110 were damaged. This affected 552 people and left 151 people homeless.
