ULUNDI - KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has placed all provincial disaster management teams on high alert following updated severe weather warnings from the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
Central parts of the province are expected to experience disruptive rainfall under a Level 2 warning on Tuesday.
Coastal areas face a more severe Level 4 warning, which is expected to remain in effect until Wednesday night.
Buthelezi has urged communities and municipal emergency response teams to exercise extreme caution and remain prepared for possible weather-related incidents.
The forecasted weather conditions are expected to bring heavy downpours, which could result in localised damage across two main areas in the province:
- Central Inland Areas (Level 2 Warning | Tuesday, 12:00 – 23:59)
- Affected Municipalities: Msunduzi, Greater Kokstad, Nkandla, Richmond, uMngeni, Maphumulo, Ndwedwe, Umvoti, Mkhambathini, Mpofana, Mthonjaneni, Ubuhlebezwe, uMshwathi, uMuziwabantu, Umzimkhulu, and Ingwe.
- Potential Impacts: Localised flooding of formal and informal settlements, waterlogged roads, and difficult driving conditions.
- Coastal Belt & Adjacent Interior (Level 4 Warning | Tuesday, 12:00 – Wednesday, 23:59)
- Affected Municipalities: eThekwini Metro, KwaDukuza, uMhlathuze, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, Mandeni, Mtubatuba, Big Five Hlabisa, uMlalazi, and Umzumbe.
- Potential Impacts: Severe rainfall exceeding 40mm, widespread structural damage, fast-flowing rivers, and the potential displacement of residents in vulnerable areas.
"Residents in the affected areas are urged to exercise extreme caution as these weather conditions do pose a serious risk to human lives," the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said in a statement.
"Disaster Management teams will closely monitor areas that are prone to weather-related incidents."