KZN hit with level 5 weather warning

An orange level 5 weather warning has been issued by the South African Weather Services (Saws) for KwaZulu-Natal. The warning for severe thunderstorms is forecasted for Sunday afternoon and is valid until midnight. According to Saws, severe thunderstorms are expected over the southern and western parts of KZN.

“Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, strong damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning resulting in significant impacts are expected,” the agency said. It added forecasts suggest scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers are expected for most of the province on Sunday with some turning severe in the western and southern parts. Saws has instructed communities to stay indoors where it is reasonable, and off the road due to the possibility of sinkholes.

“Avoid crossing swollen rivers and streams, and if trapped in a flood, leave the vehicle and climb to higher ground,” it said. In buildings, at home, place valuables above the expected flood level where they will be safe. MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has placed disaster management teams on high alert. The MEC has directed that emergency response units prioritise and monitor the following districts, where heavy downpours (exceeding 50mm), hail, and damaging winds are expected: