News24 | Level 5 weather warning for northern parts of KZN, disaster teams on high alert

KwaZulu-Natal’s disaster management teams are on high alert after MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi established a Joint Operations Centre to combat looming Level 5 weather warnings.

• A Joint Operations Centre was activated as weather warnings escalated from Level 4 on Saturday to Level 5 on Sunday.
• Seven municipalities are under close monitoring as rainfall expectations exceed 100mm in concentrated areas.
• KZN faces renewed severe weather threats following deadly storms in recent years.

KwaZulu-Natal’s disaster management teams are mobilising for what could be the province’s most severe weather event this summer, as authorities prepare for Level 5 weather conditions threatening northern regions.

Level 4 warnings indicate disruptive weather, which causes inconvenience and minor disruptions, while Level 5 warnings signal danger with serious flooding that threatens life and property.

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, on Saturday activated a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) following escalating warnings from the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

North-eastern areas faced Level 4 alerts on Saturday, which was upgraded to Level 5 for Sunday.

“We are currently at the peak of our rainy season, and our catchments are already under pressure. The establishment of the JOC is a proactive measure to ensure that we are not just reacting to the weather, but staying ahead of it,” Buthelezi said.

The MEC placed disaster management teams on high alert across seven north-eastern municipalities: Abaqulusi, Jozini, Mtubatuba, Big Five Hlabisa, Nongoma, uMhlathuze and uPhongolo, where concentrated rainfall could exceed 100mm.

The province’s heightened response comes against a backdrop of deadly weather events in recent years.

The JOC coordinates key stakeholders, including provincial disaster management teams, emergency services and state agencies, such as Eskom and Sanral, to ensure seamless responses to potential incidents.

“I have placed our disaster management teams on high alert, and they are already conducting close-range monitoring of areas historically prone to flooding and infrastructure damage,” Buthelezi said.

Authorities are focusing on infrastructure monitoring, particularly bridges, low-lying crossings and informal settlements near watercourses, with rescue equipment and personnel pre-positioned for rapid response.

The Level 5 warning carries high risks of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, prompting urgent safety guidelines for residents.

SAWS uses the numbers to indicate the likelihood of weather-based impacts occurring.

READ | KZN floods: KwaNdengezi father carries son’s body for 10km, joins sea of families desperate for help

Officials urged people to avoid crossing swollen rivers, to follow the “ankle rule” when encountering floodwater - not crossing water if the level is higher than one’s ankles - and to seek higher ground proactively.

Lightning safety remains critical during thunderstorms, with residents advised to stay indoors and avoid sheltering under trees or tall objects.

“Our teams are on the ground, and the JOC is fully operational. We ask for the cooperation of every citizen to ensure that we navigate this peak rainy period safely,” Buthelezi concluded.

The provincial government’s proactive stance reflects lessons learned from previous devastating floods, including the catastrophic April 2022 floods that killed over 400 people across KwaZulu-Natal.