BREAKING: KZN disruptive rain warning increased to RED LEVEL 10

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has increased its disruptive rain warning for KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to level 10.

Initially, there was a yellow level 4 rain warning which was also increased to an orange level 5. Switching from a yellow to an orange warning means that more damage to infrastructure is expected, and the potential for fatalities is rising but red is more dangerous.

The current level 10 red warning is in place from Saturday, 21 May at 15:00 until Sunday, 22 May at 23:59.

KZN DISRUPTIVE RAIN WARNING INCREASED TO LEVEL 10

The weather service said widespread showers and thundershowers are expected across KZN as a result of a cut-off low associated with a surface high.

“Some stations have recorded significant rainfall amounts and models indicate accumulations of more than 20mm in some places along the KZN coast.

“Considering the vulnerability of some of these areas after recent events, severe impacts can be expected over areas and north-eastern parts of KZN on Saturday and Sunday.”

SAWS

Possible impacts:

• Widespread flooding of roads and settlements is possible
• Danger to life due to fast flowing streams
• Widespread displacement of affected communities
• Widespread mudslides, rockfalls and soil erosion
• Widespread damage to property, buildings and loss of livelihoods and livestock
• Major roads and bridges damaged and prolonged disruptions to municipal services.

RESIDENTS URGED TO EXERCISE ‘EXTREME CAUTION’

KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sipho Hlomuka, has urged residents to be at the very top of their collective guard over the weekend, fearing the worst from the latest forecast:

“Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution following a weather advisory that indicates that a cut of the low-pressure system could bring light snowfall, freezing temperatures, and severe thunderstorms in parts of the country, including KZN, from Thursday going into the weekend.”

Sipho Hlomuka