Level 4 Warning Issued for Disruptive Rains Across KZN

While KwaZulu-Natal currently enjoys a degree of sunshine and cloud cover, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall, signalling that a deluge is set to slam multiple towns across the province starting Tuesday, 15 April 2025.

As explained by SAWS, a surface high pressure system will be ridging over the eastern parts of KZN and will be supported by a weak COL over South Africa that extends to a low pressure along the east coast.

This, according to the weather service, will result in widespread showers and rain.

It should be explained, a COL, or Cut-Off Low, is a rogue low-pressure system that breaks away from the main atmospheric currents, often stalling in one region and unleashing prolonged, heavy rainfall. This weather pattern is expected to drive continuous, unyielding rain across KwaZulu-Natal from Tuesday, 15 April 2025, through Wednesday, 16 April 2025.

Furthermore, SAWS stated that this system could dump 30 to 60 mm of rain, potentially causing “localised but significant impacts over most parts of KZN, except the northeastern parts of KZN.”

The potential impacts include the following:

·         Flooding of settlments, roads and bridges.

·         Damage to property and infrastructure.

·         Damage to mud-based house.

·         Poor driving conditions.

·         Major disruption of traffic flow due to roads and bridges being closed or flooded.

The communities forecast to face these intense weather impacts are as follows:

·         Newcastle

·         Ladysmith

·         Vryheid

·         Dannhauser

·         Dundee

·         Estcourt

·         Underberg

·         eThekwini

·         Mooi River

·         Greater Kokstad

·         Richmond

·         Msinga

·         Nquthu

·         eDumbe

·         Indaka

With severe weather heading toward the province on Tuesday, SAWS is urging residents to exercise extreme caution or completely avoid travelling on bridges and roads in low-lying areas, as these could vanish under floodwaters or collapse into sinkholes.

The weather service also strongly advises against outdoor activities, warning that lightning, hail, and flooding pose real risks of injury or death. People are encouraged to move their pets, livestock, and vehicles to secure, sheltered locations to protect them from the storm’s wrath.

With disruptive rainfall poised to hammer multiple towns and cities across KwaZulu-Natal, what are your thoughts on this looming situation? Share your views in the comment section below.