Severe winter weather is disrupting several parts of South Africa, with strong winds, heavy rain and freezing temperatures prompting warnings and safety concerns.

School roof blown off

According to the Middelburg Observer, parts of the roofs of some classrooms and the new library were blown off at Beestepan Agricultural School in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, yesterday afternoon. The learners were sent home as a result, and the school remains closed while the debris is cleared. Beestepan is a no-fee public school with limited resources.

School principal Martin Mogashoa says that while considerable damage was caused, the cost of repairs has yet to be established.

Middelburg and the surrounding Highveld region have been battered by gale-force winds since yesterday morning, with strong winds forecast to continue today.

Severe weather warning

In neighbouring Gauteng, the City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services remains on high alert following an adverse weather warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), reports Alberton Record.

The warning includes a Yellow Level 2 alert for severe thunderstorms and very low temperatures. Parts of Ekurhuleni are currently experiencing heavy downpours accompanied by strong winds.

SAWS has also issued Yellow Level 2 and Yellow Level 1 impact-based warnings for specific parts of the Western and Northern Cape.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging interior winds, which could cause localised damage to temporary structures and reduced visibility due to dust storms, is in place over the northern parts of the West Coast District and Witzenberg Local Municipality in the Western Cape, as well as parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape, until tomorrow night (August 13).

A Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging winds and waves has also been issued for the area between Table Bay and Port Alfred. The conditions could disrupt beachfront activities and small harbours and ports, and make navigation difficult for small boats and vessels.

Cold weather puts pressure on electricity grid

Meanwhile, the cold weather is also placing additional pressure on Ekurhuleni’s electricity grid, reports Bedfordview Edenvale News.

The city has appealed to residents to use electricity sparingly, advising households to use only one heater at a time and switch off geysers and pool pumps during peak hours.

Residents have also been urged to report illegal electricity connections, which the city says contribute to recurring power outages.

Ekurhuleni residents experiencing electricity outages can report them to the city’s service centre on 0860 543 000, while life-threatening emergencies and fires can be reported to the Disaster and Emergency Management Services on 011 458 0911.

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