News24 | Severe weekend weather warnings issued for multiple provinces

The weather service has warned of disruptive rain, which may lead to localised flooding of settlements and roads in KwaZulu-Natal.

• Severe weather warnings have been issued for various provinces amid a cut-off low-pressure system.
• The impact is likely to be felt in parts of the North West, Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and on Saturday, before spreading to Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo from Sunday.
• KwaZulu-Natal authorities are on high alert.

KwaZulu-Natal authorities and disaster management teams are on high alert after the SA Weather Service (SAWS) issued a severe weather warning for the province and other provinces.

The province is expected to experience heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, and strong winds from Saturday to Monday due to a cut-off low-pressure system.

“We have activated the provincial Disaster Management Centre and all municipal disaster management units to monitor the situation closely. Our priority is to safeguard lives and minimise damage to property and infrastructure,” Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said.

“Cut-off low-pressure systems have historically caused devastating impacts in the province. In April 2022, similar conditions led to catastrophic flooding that claimed over 400 lives and caused billions of rands in infrastructure damage. Previous instances have resulted in widespread destruction of homes, roads, and essential services, underscoring the seriousness of the current warning.”

READ | Friday’s weather: Thundershowers in most parts; hot conditions persist in Western Cape

He urged residents to “avoid unnecessary travel during this period, as dangerous driving conditions and possible road disruptions are expected”.

The cut-off low-pressure system is expected to move across the eastern parts of the country, prompting the SAWS to issue warnings for other provinces.

The impact is likely to be felt in parts of the North West, Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, before spreading to Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo from Sunday.

“This type of weather system is often associated with widespread rainfall and severe thunderstorms, which both bring a risk of flooding, amongst others,” the SAWS said.

It warned of heavy rains with a risk of flooding in places, severe thunderstorms producing strong “damaging” winds, large amounts of small hail, “excessive” lightning, and a significant drop in daytime temperatures.

“The possible resultant impacts include flooding of settlements and other properties, dangerous driving conditions, damage to infrastructure (due to flooding and strong winds), as well as the disruption of essential services. There could also be danger to life due to fast-flowing streams of water.”