KZN disaster teams on standby as severe weather approaches

KwaZulu-Natal disaster management teams have been placed on high alert as severe weather, including heavy rain and possible snowfall, is expected to affect large parts of the province from Tuesday. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi said all disaster management teams have been mobilised following updated warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The weather service has forecast partly cloudy and cool conditions over the central and eastern parts of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, with cloudy conditions and isolated to scattered showers expected along the east and south coasts.

Very cold conditions and possible snowfall are also expected over the Drakensberg mountains. In KwaZulu-Natal, central parts of the province are under a Level 2 warning for disruptive rainfall from midday until midnight on Tuesday. The warning includes the municipalities of Msunduzi, Greater Kokstad, Nkandla, Richmond, uMngeni, Maphumulo, Ndwedwe, Umvoti, Mkhambathini, Mpofana, Mthonjaneni, Ubuhlebezwe, uMshwathi, uMuziwabantu, Umzimkhulu and Ingwe.

SAWS has warned that localised flooding of formal and informal settlements, waterlogged roads and difficult driving conditions are possible. A more severe Level 4 warning has been issued for the coastal belt and adjacent inland areas from midday on Tuesday until Wednesday night. The warning covers eThekwini Metro, KwaDukuza, uMhlathuze, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, Mandeni, Mtubatuba, Big Five Hlabisa, uMlalazi and Umzumbe. These areas could experience more than 40mm of rain, resulting in widespread flooding, structural damage, rapidly rising rivers and the possible displacement of residents living in vulnerable communities.