Severe weather warnings issued for KwaZulu-Natal: Thunderstorms and heavy rain expected
Residents of KwaZulu-Natal are bracing for severe weather as warnings have been issued for heavy downpours on Wednesday.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Weather warnings have been issued for KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday with thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for parts of the province.
The SA Weather Service has issued a Level 5 warning for heavy downpours, strong winds, hail and excessive lightning which may lead to flooding, mudslides and damage to infrastructure, posing a risk to residents in inland areas, the Drakensberg region and northern KZN.
Areas that may be affected include Msunduzi, Underberg, Estcourt, Mtubatuba, Giants Castle, Endumeni, Hluhluwe, Edumbe, Richmond, Msinga, Newcastle, Mooi Mpofana, Nkandla, Nongoma, Nquthu, Hlabisa, Kokstad, Ladysmith, Jozini and Dannhauser.
Meanwhile, a Level 2 warning for heavy rains, damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning, which may cause localised flooding and infrastructure damage, has been forecast for the KZN coastal areas, among other regions.
The affected areas include eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Mkhambathini, Mthonjaneni, Maphumulo, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, uMhlathuze, uMlalazi, Umzumbe.
KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, urged residents to prioritise safety and heed all weather warnings.
He has previously called on communities to exercise extreme caution as severe thunderstorms continue to affect the province, warning that heavy rains and flooding remain a serious risk.
“We call on communities to avoid crossing flooded areas, and immediately report hazards to local authorities. Your safety is our priority.”