As Newcastillians endure the sweltering heat, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning about severe thunderstorms poised to wreak havoc across several towns in KwaZulu-Natal, from Monday afternoon, 18 November 2024.
The weather service predicts that the storms will commence around 2 pm and persist until approximately 11 pm, bringing with them a barrage of hazardous weather conditions.
According to SAWS, heavy downpours are expected, with the potential to flood vulnerable roads, low-lying areas, and bridges. The storms also carry the risk of inflicting widespread localised damage on both formal and informal infrastructure. Additionally, slippery roads are anticipated to create dangerous driving conditions, amplifying the need for caution.
Furthermore, SAWS has highlighted the likelihood of strong winds, hail, and frequent lightning strikes during the severe weather event.
Looking at the areas set to be impacted by the storms, the weather service highlighted the following towns:
- Newcastle
- Estcourt
- Ladysmith
- Dundee
- Dannhauser
- Utrecht
- Underberg
- Paulpietersburg
- Greater Kokstad
- Vryheid
- Pietermaritzburg
- Mooi River
- Msinga
- Nongoma
- Indaka
- Ulundi
- Okhahlamba
Reflecting on the above, SAWS has strongly advised residents in these areas to take all necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their property during this adverse weather. Among the key safety recommendations are:
- Stay indoors whenever possible, particularly avoiding low-lying roads and bridges prone to flooding.
- Refrain from being in open fields to minimise the risk of being struck by lightning.
- Shelter vehicles to protect them from potential hail damage.
- Seek refuge in well-constructed structures to avoid injury from flying debris caused by strong winds or lightning strikes.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor updates from reliable weather and news sources. Taking these warnings seriously could significantly mitigate the risks posed by the looming storms.
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