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The severe weather has ravaged large parts of KwaZulu-Natal since 15 December 2021. The resulting devastation led to numerous people losing their homes. Now, according to the weather service, we can expect the storm to hit NKZN today.
As reported, fatalities due to the poor weather conditions on 30 December 2021 saw the tragic death of a three-year-old boy. The young child drowned in Ward 8, Maphumulo Local Municipality.
According to the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), disaster management teams have been busy distributing interim relief measures to the 1692 affected households.
Now, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 2 alert to NKZN.
According to SAWS, the storms are set to impact the following towns:
- Newcastle
- Abaqulusi (Vryheid)
- Ladysmith
- Dannhauser
- Underberg
- eMandlangeni (Utrecht)
- Endumeni
- Estcourt
- Mooi River
- Nquthu
- Okhahlamba
With thunderstorms expected, SAWS warns that some of the storms may become severe, resulting in heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning.
Given this, SAWS emphasises the importance of remaining indoors. However, if outdoors, the weather service recommends seeking shelter as soon as possible.
“Take caution or avoid travelling on bridges and roads in low lying areas, as these may be susceptible to flooding and there may be sinkholes,” SAWS says in its notice.
Reflecting on recent events, SAWS tells of the damage inflicted in KwaZulu-Natal. The severity of the incidents ranged from structural damage to road collapse, flooding and even death.
During this time, CoGTA received over 12 severe weather warnings from the South African Weather Service.
Furthermore, the department has distributed social assistance to all municipalities for distribution to affected households. This is accomplished while making it easier for other sector departments to intervene per their legal mandates.
According to CoGTA, the total cost of the damage has yet to be determined. This is because most assessments are still being carried out, and incidents continue to occur. The decision will be made once all assessments have been completed and quantified.
Furthermore, Hlomuka has urged residents and members of all sectors of society to join forces with the provincial government in the fight against climate change.
“All of us have to acknowledge that climate change is real, frequent, and violent. We need to pay attention to all the severe weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service to practice risk avoidance behaviour such as staying indoors, avoiding sporting and recreational activities during thunderstorms, and ensuring that we do not cross overflowing and running rivers either by car or on foot.”
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