Image Source: The Witness
Local – Disaster management authorities in KwaZulu-Natal have activated emergency operations as severe weather threatens the province this weekend.
Officials said readiness measures were underway across affected districts, with teams preparing for possible flooding, infrastructure damage, and mobility disruptions.
The provincial government urged communities to take the warnings seriously, noting the impact of previous climate-related disasters.
KZN CoGTA confirmed that municipal and provincial disaster teams had already begun coordinating plans ahead of the expected storms.
The department said the early activation was intended to ensure all units were ready to respond swiftly to any emergencies. KZN CoGTA MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, added that the activation formed part of the province’s immediate preparedness efforts.
“We have activated the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and all municipal disaster management units to monitor the situation closely. Our priority is to safeguard lives and minimise damage to property and infrastructure”, he said.
Authorities pointed to the province’s vulnerability, shaped by years of infrastructure pressures and repeated extreme-weather events. They noted that low-lying and informal communities remain particularly exposed during periods of heavy rainfall.
“In April 2022, similar conditions led to catastrophic flooding that claimed over 400 lives and caused billions of rands in infrastructure damage. Previous instances have resulted in widespread destruction of homes, roads, and essential services, underscoring the seriousness of the current warning,” stated the department.
According to reports, KZN CoGTA has mobilised a multi-departmental response plan for the coming days. Provincial and municipal teams will conduct ongoing risk assessments, while emergency units remain on standby for rapid deployment.
MEC Buthelezi also confirmed that critical entities are now ready, including the KZN Department of Transport, the KZN Department of Social Development, the Road Traffic Inspectorate, municipal traffic services, SANRAL, and Eskom.
“We urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel during this period, as dangerous driving conditions and possible road disruptions are expected. Please stay informed through official channels and follow safety instructions,” added the MEC.
Severe Weather Warning for SA
The South African Weather Service has forecast widespread rainfall and severe thunderstorms as a cut-off low-pressure system moves across the country between 15 and 17 November.
The system is expected to bring heavy downpours, strong winds, hail and a notable drop in temperatures.
“The possible resultant impacts include flooding of settlements and other properties, dangerous driving conditions, damage to infrastructure (due to flooding and strong winds), as well as the disruption of essential services. There could also be danger to life due to fast-flowing streams of water,” SAWS said.
SAWS noted that the central interior — including the North West, Free State, eastern Northern Cape and eastern Eastern Cape — will experience the first round of severe conditions on Saturday.
“The above-mentioned impacts, with a varying degree of severity, are expected over the central interior … and KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, spreading to the eastern parts (Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal) of the country from Sunday into Monday,” SAWS said.
