Key points in this article:
- Continued Severe Weather: KZN has been experiencing relentless torrential rainfall, with further disruptive rain and severe thunderstorms expected from 24 February to 2 March 2025, increasing the risk of flooding and damage.
- High-Risk Areas Identified: The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has highlighted that isolated to scattered showers will persist across various towns and cities.
Large parts of KwaZulu-Natal have been relentlessly battered by torrential rainfall over the past week, and communities are now being urged to brace themselves for additional disruptive rainfall and severe thunderstorms.
These adverse weather conditions are advancing towards already saturated areas, increasing the risk of further flooding and damage.
This warning follows an alert from Thandiwe Gumede, a weather forecaster at the South African Weather Service (SAWS), who has cautioned that disruptive rain and severe thunderstorms will persist from Monday, 24 February 2025, until Monday, 2 March 2025.
Gumede explained that isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers will continue into the early part of the week, with showers expected to affect parts of eastern KwaZulu-Natal due to an ongoing onshore flow. She further highlighted that the north-eastern region of the province faces an increased risk of flooding from Monday, 24 February 2025, through to Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
From Thursday, 27 February 2025, Gumede noted that the forecast indicates predominantly afternoon and evening showers and thundershowers across KwaZulu-Natal.
Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected to impact the western regions of the province over the weekend. She also warned that some of these thunderstorms could escalate to severe levels, with SAWS closely monitoring developments and issuing appropriate alerts as necessary.
While SAWS has yet to announce specific warning levels for affected areas, the following towns are expected to experience inclement weather in the coming days:
- Kosi Bay
- Mbazwana
- Jozini
- Pongola
- Mkuze
- Ingwavuma
- Hluhluwe
- St Lucia
- Richards Bay
- Mtubatuba
- Durban
- Pietermaritzburg
- Ladysmith
- Newcastle
- Estcourt
- Underberg
- Mooi River
With the latest weather forecasts indicating a prolonged period of heavy rain and storms, the public is strongly advised to monitor updates from the South African Weather Service and trusted media outlets. These sources will provide further warnings on potential storms that could result in additional harm and destruction.
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