Severe weather expected in parts of Limpopo and KZN

Severe weather expected in parts of Limpopo and KZN! South Africans are bracing for severe thunderstorms, disruptive rain, and damaging winds at the start of the week, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issuing multiple warnings for affected regions. The warnings highlight the potential dangers of localised flooding, damage to infrastructure, and difficult navigation at sea.

Weather Warnings Issued for Monday

According to SAWS, the following weather alerts have been issued for Monday:

1. Yellow Level 2 Warning (Severe Thunderstorms) – Expected in the northern and western parts of Limpopo, bringing heavy downpours and strong winds that could cause localised flooding in roads and settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure.

2. Yellow Level 2 Warning (Disruptive Rain) – The extreme north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will experience disruptive rainfall, leading to flooding of roads, bridges, and settlements. There is also a risk of infrastructure damage in the affected areas.

3. Yellow Level 1 Warning (Damaging Winds at Sea) – Strong winds will create difficult navigation conditions between Lambert’s Bay and Cape Point from Monday afternoon, extending to Cape Agulhas by Tuesday. The winds are expected to clear north of Table Bay by Wednesday.

Storm Damage in KwaZulu-Natal

Severe weather has already caused destruction in parts of KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend. On Saturday night, heavy rainfall and strong winds swept through Matiwaneskop, leaving several homes damaged.

Local disaster management teams were immediately deployed to provide relief and assess the full extent of the destruction.

Municipal Response and Community Impact

The uThukela District Municipality Mayor, Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala, visited the affected area on Sunday to assess the situation and offer support.

“This is a very sad situation that we are witnessing today. It is beyond our control and there’s nothing much we can do because it’s just a natural disaster,” said Shabalala.

He noted that Matiwaneskop is prone to disasters whenever heavy rain occurs and emphasized the need for better disaster preparedness.

Extent of the Damage

Themba Ndumo, from the uThukela Disaster Management Centre, provided a report detailing the widespread destruction:

• 31 houses were affected.
• 223 people were impacted.
• 22 houses were partially destroyed.
• 19 houses were completely destroyed.
• One resident was injured and taken to a provincial hospital for treatment.

To assist those affected, the municipality distributed:

• 25 plastic rolls for temporary shelter.
• 12 blankets to help families cope with the cold.
• Three tents for those whose homes were completely destroyed.

Concerns About Infrastructure and Road Conditions

Ward Councillor Dlamini raised concerns about the poor road conditions in the area, stressing the need to engage the Department of Transport to address road maintenance and accessibility issues.

Homes visited by Mayor Shabalala and his team received plastic rolls and four blankets as immediate relief. Authorities have also promised to engage the housing department and Eskom to assist residents whose homes and electricity supply were affected.

Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness

The uThukela District Municipality spokesperson, Jabulani Mkhonza, urged residents to remain vigilant as unpredictable weather conditions continue to pose risks.

Authorities have advised communities in flood-prone areas to take precautions, monitor weather updates, and report further damage to local municipalities. Emergency response teams remain on high alert to assist in case of additional severe weather events.

A Call for Stronger Disaster Preparedness

This latest disaster serves as a stark reminder of the growing need for improved disaster preparedness and stronger infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities from extreme weather events.

The storms come just a week after devastating floods affected parts of South Africa, leaving at least nine people dead in KZN. With the country facing recurring severe weather events, experts emphasize the importance of long-term planning and proactive measures to mitigate future damage and loss of life.

For now, residents are urged to stay safe, follow weather warnings, and seek assistance from local authorities if necessary.