News24 | Level 5 storm warning puts KZN on high alert as Eastern Cape battles deadly floods

A pedestrian tries to dodge a flooded street in Durban. The South African Weather Service appealed to all members of the public to be vigilant as more rains are expected.

• A Level 5 warning was issued for uMgungundlovu, uThukela and Harry Gwala in KZN.
• The OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape faces a Level 4 warning after days of storms caused widespread destruction.
• Authorities are urging residents to heed warnings, avoid flooded areas, and prepare for potential evacuations.

A Level 5 severe thunderstorm warning has placed large parts of KwaZulu-Natal on edge, with provincial disaster teams on high alert.

This follows a warning from the South African Weather Service that the province should brace for a severe weather system.

KwaZulu-Natal’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said emergency response units had been directed to prioritise western and southern districts. Heavy downpours, exceeding 50mm, large hail and damaging winds are expected on Sunday.

The Level 5 warning covers uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Amajuba, uMzinyathi, Harry Gwala and Ugu districts - including municipalities such as Msunduzi, Newcastle, Greater Kokstad and Alfred Duma.

In these areas, the risk of flash flooding, infrastructure damage and dangerous lightning strikes is significantly heightened.

The rest of the province, including the eThekwini Metro, iLembe, King Cetshwayo and Zululand, remains under a Level 2 warning. While classified as lower risk, authorities have cautioned that localised flooding and lightning remain possible.

The warning comes as parts of the Eastern Cape continue to reel from severe storms that have already claimed lives.

In the OR Tambo District Municipality, officials noted a Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms affecting several local municipalities, including Mthatha and Mqanduli.

The district said it was in continuous coordination with Eskom and disaster management structures as volatile conditions persist.

It urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid flooded areas.

The Level 4 alert follows days of heavy rainfall, damaging winds and lightning that left widespread destruction.

In the SAWS’ colour-coded weather warning system, yellow indicates a moderate risk of impact that requires caution and awareness, while orange indicates that higher-risk impact is expected, requiring increased attention and preparation.

SAWS uses the numbers to indicate the likelihood of weather-based impacts occurring. Levels 2 and 6 are high, and Level 4 is low.

READ | Two dead as severe storms lash parts of Eastern Cape

At the peak of the storm, more than 190 000 Eskom customers were without electricity.

News24 previously reported that two people died after flooding incidents in Ingquza Hill and Mthatha.

Preliminary assessments indicate that several households were left homeless or partially displaced, while roads, bridges, crops and livestock were damaged.

Disaster management teams in both provinces remain on standby, preparing for potential evacuations, emergency shelter and further infrastructure disruptions.