By: Bright Ntuli
The South African Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings, with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected to persist across several parts of the country through the weekend.
Orange Level 5 warnings have been issued for parts of the Free State, Northern Cape and North West, indicating a high likelihood of disruptive weather conditions.
Yellow Level 2 alerts are also in place for Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, where scattered storms and heavy rainfall are expected.
SA Weather Service forecaster Tokelo Chiloane warned that some storms could produce damaging winds, lightning and hail, along with localised flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Meanwhile in KwaZulu-Natal, the province’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has placed all disaster management teams on high alert ahead of a severe storm expected to affect parts of the province today.
The weather service has issued a Level 4 warning for parts of the province, with heavy rain, damaging winds and lightning forecast across much of the region, including eThekwini, Pietermaritzburg, Newcastle and coastal areas.
Provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila has urged residents to remain indoors where possible and avoid crossing flooded roads as severe weather conditions move through the province.
