Johannesburg: The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued several weather warnings for multiple provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape, over the course of the weekend. The weather service has issued a Yellow Level 4 Warning for severe thunderstorms for parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
According to South African Government News Agency, severe thunderstorms are expected to lead to flooding of low-lying areas, susceptible roads and bridges, as well as strong damaging winds and hail, resulting in damage to infrastructure, settlements, property, vehicles, livelihood, and livestock over the north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. The weather service also noted that hot and humid weather will contribute to extremely uncomfortable conditions along the coast and adjacent interior of KwaZulu-Natal.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has urged residents to stay alert. According to the provincial government, the warning is in place from 2 pm on Saturday until Sunday, 29 March. Heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail, and severe lightning are expected, posing risks of flooding, infrastructure damage, and dangerous travel conditions, especially in the north-eastern parts of the province. Residents are advised to stay indoors where possible, avoid flooded areas, and not attempt to cross rivers or streams to ensure safety.
In addition, SAWS has also issued a Yellow Level 2 Warning for severe thunderstorms leading to localized flooding of low-lying areas, susceptible roads, and bridges. This warning includes strong, damaging winds and hail over the north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape, central and eastern parts of Free State, and places over KwaZulu-Natal, excluding the north-east. A Yellow Level 1 Warning for severe thunderstorms has been issued for the eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, where rain could lead to localized flooding and damage due to strong winds and hail, affecting infrastructure, settlements, property, vehicles, livelihood, and livestock.
