Newcastillians should prepare for an exceptionally blustery start to the weekend, as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an urgent warning about damaging winds expected to hit the region.
The forecast predicts that strong and potentially hazardous winds will sweep across the northwestern parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, 2 August 2024.
The intensity of these winds will likely create challenging driving conditions and may cause localised damage to buildings and infrastructure.
SAWS has elaborated that we can expect powerful gusts from the West to North-West, with average wind speeds ranging between 30 to 40 km/h and gusts reaching 60 to 70 km/h. These conditions are anticipated to begin in the mid to late afternoon, escalating throughout the day.
The towns likely to be affected by these fierce winds include:
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Dundee
- Dannhauser
- Estcourt
- Giants Castle
- Mooi River
- Vryheid
- Indanda
- eDumbe
- Sobabili
- Msinga
- Nquthu
- Okahlamba
- uMngeni
Furthermore, SAWS has highlighted several potential impacts of the damaging winds:
- Disruptions to transport routes and travel services, with the risk of falling trees affecting roads.
- Increased dangers for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes, such as crosswinds on high-level roads and bridges.
- Localised damage to settlements and temporary structures.
- A heightened risk of runaway fires
In light of these potential hazards, SAWS strongly advises residents in the affected areas to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
With the threat of severe winds approaching, what are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
