Severe weather warning for large parts of SA

Parts of the country are bracing for heavy downpours, high winds and possible hail after warnings were issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

This morning, The Witness reported that emergency services started evacuating residents living in vulnerable areas below Henley Dam in KZN yesterday as heavy rains and rapidly rising dam levels increased the risk of flooding. It reported that the Henley Dam was at 107% capacity yesterday.

In a report published by The Citizen at midday, provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said storms and flooding had devastated parts of the province, with several roads closed.

Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said storms and flooding had devastated parts of the province, with several roads closed.

Zululand Observer reported this afternoon that the Severe Weather and Information Centre SA Facebook page warned that strong to severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours should be expected across KZN this afternoon, going into tomorrow.

This afternoon, visitors to the site shared photos of severe rain and black clouds in and around Klerksdorp, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cullinan. Meanwhile, Joburg emergency services are also on high alert after heavy rain in the city this morning.

Earlier this week, Ladysmith in KZN was again flooded after fatal flash floods in the town on Christmas Eve.

Ladysmith #flooding 😩 cruising nicely 😂😂🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/8LyZe7oD0L

— Peché Africa 🇿🇦 (@pmcafrica) January 9, 2024

Everytime when there’s flooding in Ladysmith we get affected at Msinga…..this is a current situation in Msinga pic.twitter.com/m6AlcSrXCw

— 👑Menzi Majola 🇿🇦 (@MENZIMAJOLAH) January 9, 2024

Our hearts go out to the residents of Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, who have been forced to evacuate their homes due to severe flooding. We offer our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in these tragic events. #kznfloods #ladysmith #collenmashawanafoundation pic.twitter.com/g1FYtU3FYa

— CollenMashFoundation (@CollenMashFound) January 9, 2024

KZN – R602 Route: #Flooding ROAD DAMAGE north of Elandslaagte (between Ladysmith and Dundee) pic.twitter.com/6nCjaDBigd

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) January 9, 2024

Alerts

Yesterday, SAWS issued warnings of disruptive thunderstorms and rainfall over large parts of the country for today, including parts of the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, and North West.

⛈⚠️Weather warning for today, 10 January 2024.
A-Yellow level 4: Severe thunderstorms- rain, hail & strong winds.
B-Yellow level 2: Severe thunderstorms-rain, hail & strong winds.
C-Yellow level 2: Disruptive rain- flooding#saws #WeatherUpdate #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/4QsnHEGNXi

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 10, 2024

Tomorrow’s outlook also predicts disruptive weather in parts of the country, including in parts of the North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Free State.

⛈️⚠️Weather warning for Thursday.
A-Yellow Level 2: Severe thunderstorms
B-Yellow Level 2: Disruptive Rainfall.#saws#WeatherUpdate #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/643L0jlNPF

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 10, 2024

South Africans are urged to monitor weather alerts, stay away from streams and rivers and avoid using low-level bridges as sudden currents can sweep away people and vehicles.