RESIDENTS are urged to exercise caution in the eThekwini region following a weather warning issued by the South African Weather Service (Saws) for thunderstorms, strong winds and damaging waves during this week.

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A Level 2 severe thunderstorm with widespread showers has been forecast until the early hours of June 10. To make matters worse, a Level 4 alert for both damaging winds and waves is expected to affect KZN from the early hours of June 10, with the winds expected to persist until the morning of June 11, and the waves until June 12.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are predicted over most parts of KZN today, and these will be accompanied by severe damaging winds, heavy downpours and rough seas along the coast, expected only to cease on June 12.

“The heavy downpour may cause poor driving conditions, damage to infrastructure, destruction of mud-based houses, disruption to harbours/ports, and difficulty in navigation. This may also disrupt coastal activities. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution and maintain a safe following distance while driving on wet roads. The Municipality’s Disaster Management Unit and emergency services are on standby.

“This alert remains subject to change. The Saws will update the warning accordingly. The public is reminded to not cross flooded rivers and streams,” explained Saws in the warning.

In case of an emergency, the public can contact the eThekwini Disaster Management Centre on 031 361 0000.

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