Amid the joy of welcomed rainfalls in Newcastle, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has raised alarms by issuing a Level 2 Warning for severe thunderstorms set to impact several towns in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, including Newcastle, Ladysmith, and Dundee.
According to SAWS, severe thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy rains that may lead to localised flooding, are anticipated over the extreme western parts of KZN.
The weather event is expected to unfold between 4 pm and 11 pm on Monday, 11 December 2023.
The towns expected to be impacted by the storms, according to SAWS, are as follows:
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Dannhauser
- Dundee
- Estcourt
- Msinga
- Indaka
- Sobabili
- Okhahlamba
With severe thunderstorms expected to hit the above mentioned towns, SAWS noted that the potential impacts are as follows:
- Localised flooding of susceptible roads.
- Major roads are affected by increased travel time.
- Difficult driving conditions on dirt roads.
- Minor road vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and reduced visibility.
- Localised damage to infrastructure, settlements, vehicles, livelihood and livestock.
With this in mind, SAWS said, “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.”
Furthermore, the weather service further cautioned against outdoor activities, as lightning, hail and flooding may result in injuries or death. Additionally, SAWS said, if possible, stay indoors well clear of windows, shelter pets and livestock, and cover or move vehicles to sheltered areas.
As the South African Weather Service alerts the public about the impending storm, we invite readers to share their thoughts on this matter in the comment section below.
