According to the warning that they have received, damaging winds are forecast for areas along the coast into Saturday evening.

Disruptive rain is also forecast for eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mkhambathini, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, uMdoni and uMzumbe until Saturday evening.

In line with the operational response provincial disaster management plan, the provincial and municipal multi-sectoral disaster management teams are on high alert to swiftly respond to communities known to be at high risk (to avert or minimize the disaster impact).

The plan details clear roles and responsibilities for all relevant stakeholders.

The objective is to avoid loss of life and human suffering.

The early weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service are constantly being circulated to role-players and further communicated to the general public (together with emergency contact numbers for disaster management centres) via media platforms and loud hailing.

Communities at high risk of disasters (such as informal settlements, settlements built on steep slopes, flood plains, mud slides, etc.) are of particular concern, as is road infrastructure, such as bridges and courses located in low-lying areas.

People who need to evacuate will be housed in community facilities such as halls and schools. The Department of Social Development, with help from municipalities and social partners, will make sure that the evacuation centers get things like food, water, sanitation, clothes, blankets, and more.

During this difficult period, it is important that we maintain law and order so that our teams can reach all affected areas.

Over 4000 members of law enforcement have been deployed to affected areas to support relief efforts and maintain law and order.

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 IMPACT-BASED WARNINGS

A. Yellow level 2: Disruptive rain leading Flooding

expected over Gauteng, eastern Free State, south-western parts of Mpumalanga as well as the eastern parts of North-West and the extreme south western parts of Limpopo.

B. Yellow level 4: Disruptive rain leading to further damage to roads, bridges and properties, flooding of susceptible formal/informal settlements as well as mudslides is expected over southern and midlands of KZN.

C. Orange level 5: Disruptive rain leading to further damage to roads, bridges and properties, flooding of susceptible formal/informal settlements as well as mudslides is expected along the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.