SAWS said in a statement that widespread rainfall can be expected over the southern and central parts of the country from today onwards. Light snowfalls are likely over the mountainous, high-lying areas of the Western and Eastern Cape, spreading to the Lesotho Drakensberg regions by the weekend, where heavier falls are anticipated.

Weather warnings have been issued for parts of the Eastern Cape and central South Africa. With disruptive rains and snowfall predicted, farmers in several parts of the country have been advised to keep their livestock indoors.

Click here to see warnings and advisories.

The KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs has called up residents to exercise extreme caution this weekend.

The head of the Mpumalanga Disaster Management Centre, Dhludhlu Silayiki, says a storm preparedness message has been circulated to warn residents that should heavy rainfall be experienced, localised flooding could occur because the ground is still saturated from recent rains.

Keep safe

The recent catastrophic floods in KZN highlight the importance of being prepared for extreme weather. If you live next to a body of water or in an area prone to flooding, you should have a plan of action should an extreme weather alert be issued.

The following checklist, issued by the Mpumalanga Disaster Management Centre, can be adapted to suit your needs:

• Build an emergency kit and make a family emergency plan. Ensure that you have the emergency numbers of your ward councillor, police, emergency medical and fire services and disaster management unit.
• Know your surroundings, know the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone or in a natural storm flow path.
• Create and save the GPS location (pin-drop) of your property on WhatsApp. This can be shared with authorities in an emergency.
• Identify rivers, streams and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.
• Learn community storm evacuation routes and how to find higher ground.
• Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you need to evacuate.
• Make plans to secure your property and make sure that vital documents are secured.
• Ensure family members are accounted for and safe.
• Cover all your home’s windows with wood if you are in a flood-prone area.
• Instal ropes, wires, straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure.
• Ensure pets and livestock are safe and accounted for.
• Determine how and where to secure your vehicle.
• If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on the lowest floor.
• Listen to the radio or TV for updates.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets: fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water.
• Keep food safe during and after an emergency.
• Treat all electrical installations as live.
• Report missing persons and damages as soon as possible to the authorities.
• Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not walk in severe weather, even if you know the route.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
• Clear loose debris and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Plan to bring in/secure all outdoor furniture, decorations, refuse bins and or anything else that is not tied down.
• Ensure sufficient light sources. Cheap LED lights last longer and are much safer than candles, especially with children.