POLOKWANE – The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 4 warning for the City of Polokwane due to disruptive rain expected throughout the day.

The SAWS warns of significant rainfall that could lead to flooding, disruptions to road traffic and potential damage to municipal services, including water and electricity.

The heavy rains are predicted to cause:

• Flooding in roads, informal settlements, and low-lying areas.
• Temporary road closures and major traffic disruptions.
• Potential damage to bridges, roads, and essential infrastructure.
• Interruptions to municipal services such as water supply and electricity.

The warning is in effect from 00:00 to 23:59 today.

The SAWS urges residents to stay indoors wherever possible and to avoid unnecessary travel.

Key safety tips include:

• Do not attempt to cross rivers or streams where water is above ankle height.
• Avoid driving on flooded roads; if your vehicle is caught in rising water, abandon it and move to higher ground immediately.
• In homes, move valuable possessions to a safe, elevated area to protect them from flood damage.

According to AccuWeather, Polokwane will experience cloudy conditions with thundershowers in the morning and light rain in the afternoon.

The temperature is expected to reach a high of 25°C and a low of 19°C.

Rainy conditions are expected to persist in the coming days, with possible thunderstorms forecasted for Friday and Saturday.

Residents should remain vigilant and monitor weather updates for any changes to the forecast.