FOLLOWING a warning issued by the South African Weather Service (Saws) of a Level 4 Weather Warning for disruptive rain, the KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Reverent Thulasizwe Buthelezi, urges residents across KZN to exercise extreme caution.

The warning is valid from 00:00 on April 15 until 23:59 on the same day and will affect eThekwini, in addition to most parts of the province.

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The weather forecast indicates that persistent rainfall is expected, potentially leading to:

• Difficult driving conditions, particularly on dirt roads.
• Flooding of roads and settlements.
• Damage to property and infrastructure.
• Damage to mud-based houses.
• Major disruption of traffic flow due to road closures and flooding.

Buthelezi has directed that all disaster management teams across the affected municipalities be placed on high alert.

Buthelezi emphasised the seriousness of the weather warning and called on all residents to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety. “We are urging all residents in the affected areas to exercise extreme caution tomorrow. Please avoid unnecessary travel, especially on dirt roads, and refrain from crossing rivers and swollen streams where the water level is above your ankles.”

Cogta advises residents to take the following precautionary measures:

• Stay indoors and off the roads if possible.
• Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams.
• If trapped in a vehicle during a flood, abandon it and climb to higher ground.
• In buildings, move valuable items to a safe place above the expected flood level.
• In rural areas, move livestock to higher ground.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and heed the warnings issued by disaster management authorities.

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