Disaster Management Teams are currently on high alert after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued both an Orange Level 9 and an Orange Level 5 warning for KwaZulu-Natal.
The MEC for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Sihle Zikalala explained that the department has placed disaster management teams on high alert following the severe warning issued by the SAWS. The warning from the weather service indicates that large parts of KZN can expect disruptive rainfall, bringing with it, the probability of widespread flooding across large parts of the province on Thursday, 5 January 2023, and Friday, 6 January 2023.
“The Provincial Disaster Management Center has activated the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), which will meet daily with all disaster management teams from municipalities to take stock of the situation,” said Zikalala.
These rains bring the possibility of localised flooding in low lying areas, susceptible settlements, roads, and bridges.
The Orange Level 9 warning will impact the following:
- Hlabisa
- Hluhluwe
- eThekwini
- Jozini
- KwaDukuza
- Mandeni
- Maphumulo
- Mkhambathini
- Mthonjaneni
- Mtubatuba
- Ndwedwe
- Richmond
- Msunduzi
- Umhlabuyalingana
- uMhlathuze
- uMlalazi
- uMshwathi
The Orange Level 5 for disruptive rain will impact the following:
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Vryheid
- Indaka
- Dannhauser
- Underberg
- Utrecht
- Mooi River
- Estcourt
- Msinga
- Dundee
- Greater Kokstad
- Ulundi
- Umvoti
With rainy weather predicted for Thursday and Friday, CoGTA urged residents in the affected areas to restrict unnecessary travelling as this might place them in danger. Parents are also encouraged to be vigilant and safeguard their children from swimming in rivers or going near large bodies of water.
“The province of KZN has not fully recovered from the floods that took place last year, residents are urged to heed these warnings and to not take unnecessary risks,” added Zikalala.
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