The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has predicted a moderate to high risk of heavy rainfall in several areas of the lowveld regions of Limpopo today and tomorrow, as well as the Lowveld in Mpumalanga tomorrow.

This as severe tropical storm Filipo makes landfall and intensifies over the southern Mozambican coastline.

Lowvelder reports that SAWS warns that localised flooding may occur over the southern Lowveld, including the Kruger National Park (KNP). It said major rivers of the central and southern half of the KNP, such as, but not limited to, the Olifants, Letaba, Sabie and Sand rivers, as well as the Crocodile River in the extreme south of the KNP are likely to be flowing very strongly, possibly in flood, from midweek.

On Sunday, SAWS released a statement saying the weak, embryonic, tropical low-pressure system located between Madagascar and mainland southern Africa (the Mozambican Channel) experienced significant intensification overnight, attaining moderate tropical storm status.

The storm is associated with average winds of 63 to 89km/h and has consequently been elevated to moderate tropical storm Filipo.

“The storm is expected to affect mostly the southern parts of Mozambique, but some of its effects will also be felt over the extreme northeastern parts of South Africa,” said SAWS in yesterday’s statement.

It said a tropical low-pressure system can be defined as a less dense air mass that is usually wetter and warmer than the surrounding air. Such a system can cause the formation of clouds and storms.

Filipo made landfall on the Mozambican coast near Inhassoro, north of Vilankulos, last night, and intensified to a severe tropical storm associated with average winds between 89 to 118km/h. Therefore, for much of the southern Mozambican coastline, a high risk exists for weather-related damage from a combination of torrential rain; strong, damaging winds, and a storm surge near the coastline.

🌀Tropical storm FILIPO: 🌀
Currently, the weather system is over the southern areas of Mozambique. The system is expected to result in disruptive rain over the north eastern areas of South Africa. #saws#southafricanweather #weatheroutlook pic.twitter.com/maVK7NQEDp

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) March 12, 2024

SAWS said that for South Africa in particular, there is a moderate to high risk of heavy rainfall occurring over the lowveld regions of Limpopo and over the Lowveld of Mpumalanga tomorrow.

SAWS predicts the heavy rain will cease abruptly by Thursday, as the system leaves southern Africa and moves off into the southern Indian Ocean, east of South Africa.

SAWS said it will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather system and will issue subsequent updates as required. It urged the public to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio.

Polokwane Review reports that in Limpopo, areas such as Thohoyandou, Giyani, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa will be affected with Level 4 warnings for disruptive rain issued for these areas.

Heavy rain with localised flooding is also expected in the Kingdom of Eswatini and the extreme north-eastern KZN.