ZULULANDERS are urged to take precautions both at home and on the roads as parts of the region are in for a stormy Saturday.

This as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms, in effect from 2pm to midnight on Saturday.

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Areas to be affected are Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, Jozini, Mtubatuba, Nongoma, uMhlabuyalingana, uMhlathuse and Pongola.

“Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, severe lightning, hail and damaging winds, resulting in flooding and damage to infrastructure are expected over the north-eastern parts from [Saturday] afternoon until Sunday morning,” said the SAWS.

A surface trough is situated over the central parts of the country, with a cold front expected to pass to the east of the country with ‘significant instabilities’, resulting in scattered afternoon and evening thundershowers, and potentially severe thunderstorms over most of KZN.

“Significant amounts of rainfall accumulation is expected from tomorrow evening, persisting to Sunday morning, resulting in low likelihood of significant impacts,” said the weather desk.

Potential impacts
• Flooding of roads and bridges, as well as formal and informal settlements
• Hail, resulting in infrastructure damage
• Danger to life due to fast-flowing water/streams
• Major travel disruptions, including route obstructions, and incidents
• Lightning, resulting in fire incidents

Precautions
• Where possible, stay indoors and off the roads
• Avoid crossing rivers and streams where water is above your ankles
• If trapped in a vehicle during a flood, abandon it and climb to higher ground
• In buildings, remove valuables to a safe place above the potential flood line
• Do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects
• Do not go fishing or play golf, as both as both golf clubs and fishing rods are good conductors of electricity

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