KwaZulu-Natal residents are bracing for heavy rainfall on Christmas Day, with a strong weather warning issued for multiple districts across the province.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has predicted disruptive rains from Monday afternoon through Wednesday, prompting a level 2 weather warning and a heightened state of alert from disaster management teams.
The KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) released a statement detailing the areas expected to be most severely affected. These include Zululand, uThukela, uMzinyathi, uMgungundlovu, King Cetshwayo, and Harry Gwala districts.
The statement highlighted the potential for severe consequences, stating: “These conditions could lead to flooding of settlements, roads, and bridges; damage to property and infrastructure; damage to mud-based houses; poor driving conditions; and major disruption of traffic flow due to road and bridge closures or flooding.”
The warning extends beyond these districts. A level 2 weather warning also covers eThekwini, Harry Gwala, Ugu, uMkhanyakude, King Cetshwayo, uThukela, iLembe, and Amajuba districts for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The risk of flooding is particularly high in these areas due to already saturated soil from the weekend’s heavy rains. Cogta confirmed that disaster management teams will be actively monitoring the situation in all affected areas.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre will be coordinating the province’s disaster response, working closely with various stakeholders, including Sanral, to monitor major routes and ensure the safety of commuters. This coordinated effort reflects the seriousness of the situation and the potential for widespread disruption.
The statement also highlighted the devastating impact of recent severe weather. Last weekend, heavy rains and strong winds damaged electricity infrastructure, leaving many communities without power. Tragically, two lives were lost in the eThekwini Metro.
“In the eThekwini Metro, two people lost their lives on Saturday, 21 December, at the Nkanini Informal Settlement in Cato Manor, Ward 30, when heavy rains caused a retaining wall to collapse onto two informal structures. A 38-year-old male and an 18-year-old female were declared deceased at the scene,” the statement reported.
Given the significant risks posed by the anticipated heavy rainfall, Cogta has issued a series of safety recommendations for residents:
- Stay informed: Keep abreast of the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
- Avoid hazardous areas: Stay away from flood-prone areas, particularly low-lying bridges.
- Stay indoors: Remain indoors during periods of severe weather.
- Prepare an emergency kit: Have a readily available kit containing essential items such as water, food, medication, and a flashlight.
- Check drainage: Ensure that drainage systems are clear and unobstructed.
- Drive cautiously: Only travel if absolutely necessary, and exercise extreme caution on the roads, driving slowly and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Avoid floodwater: Do not come into contact with floodwater, as it may be contaminated and pose health risks.
- Protect appliances: Elevate electrical appliances to prevent damage from potential flooding.
- Be aware of landslides: Residents in hilly areas should be especially vigilant about the risk of landslides due to saturated soil.
The impending heavy rains represent a significant challenge for KwaZulu-Natal, demanding a concerted effort from both authorities and residents to mitigate the potential risks
