LIMPOPO – The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has escalated its warning for Limpopo and Mpumalanga to its highest possible alert, issuing a Red Level 10 Warning for Disruptive Rainfall as the crisis in already-flooded areas deepens.

The warning indicates conditions pose a severe risk to life, livelihoods, and infrastructure. It follows days of torrential rain that have already caused severe flooding in the region, with the forecast predicting a further 100mm to 200mm of rain in the next 24 to 48 hours.

The worst-affected municipalities are expected to be:

• Maruleng.
• Ba-Phalaborwa.
• Nkomazi.
• City of Mbombela.
• Bushbuckridge.
• Greater Giyani.
• Greater Tzaneen.
• Greater Letaba.
• Collins Chabane.

SAWS warns of life-threatening dangers from fast-flowing rivers, widespread flooding of roads and bridges, major damage to property and critical infrastructure, displacement of communities, and severe, prolonged disruptions to essential services.

The agency’s warning system categorises alerts by colour and level. A Red Level 10 Warning, combining the most severe colour (Red) with the highest level (10), signifies the most extreme threat, where widespread, dangerous conditions are expected to cause major damage and potential loss of life.

Residents in the affected areas are urged to exercise extreme caution, avoid all travel, and not attempt to cross flooded roads or bridges.