Severe thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning, and hail, are expected to batter multiple towns in the north‑western parts of KwaZulu‑Natal. As per SAWS, this could potentially result in localised flooding and damage to settlements and infrastructure on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) a Yellow Level 2 Warning has been issued, with the weather service noting that isolated showers and thundershowers are expected to become severe over the north‑western parts of KZN.
Heavy downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning and hail could potentially also affect the area.
Looking at the expected weather, SAWS elaborated further by explaining that the public needed to be cautious and vigilant, as it could result in localised damage to infrastructure and settlements, flooding of susceptible bridges and roads, and minor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and poor visibility.
Moreover, the weather service also noted that flying debris, due to the expected damaging winds, could result in injury.
The towns forecast to be impacted by the severe thunderstorms are:
- Newcastle
- Vryheid
- Ladysmith
- Indaka
- Dannhauser
- eDumbe
- Utrecht
- Dundee
- Okhahlamba
- Pongola
As the above‑mentioned towns are expected to be hit by severe thunderstorms, the South African Weather Service has further urged the public to practise caution or avoid travelling on bridges and roads susceptible to flooding. Furthermore, residents are encouraged to avoid outdoor activities, as lightning, hail, and flooding may result in injuries or death.
Taking this into consideration, SAWS has urged the above‑mentioned communities to remain indoors where possible, while also ensuring that pets, livestock, and vehicles are sheltered out of harm’s way.
The public is advised to follow official SAWS releases and local emergency services for ongoing updates and guidance on weather safety.
By staying informed through official advisories and continuously monitoring updates, individuals can respond promptly to sudden changes in weather. Consequently, this proactive approach not only minimises the risk of injury or damage but also enables families and local authorities to act in a coordinated and effective manner.
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