The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 5 warning for disruptive rain in KwaZulu-Natal.
Severe weather conditions expected across KZN on Wednesday, 18 December 2024
This weather event, expected on Wednesday, 18 December, could lead to flooding of roads and settlements, damage to infrastructure, and the displacement of affected communities.
In addition to this severe warning, a Yellow Level 2 warning is in effect for localised flooding and potential infrastructure damage in other areas of the province, excluding the north-east.
These warnings come as part of widespread weather disturbances across the country, with heavy rainfall also affecting parts of the Eastern Cape and Free State.
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What Does an Orange Level 5 Warning Mean?
An Orange Level 5 warning indicates a moderate-to-high risk of significant impact.
It signals the likelihood of:
- Widespread flooding of roads and properties.
- Significant disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.
- Emergency evacuations for affected residents.
SAWS advises residents in impacted areas to remain vigilant, avoid crossing flooded roads, and prepare emergency kits for potential displacement.
KwaZulu-Natal has a tragic history of severe floods.
The 2022 Easter floods remain one of the deadliest in South Africa’s recent history, causing over 400 fatalities, displacing thousands, and leading to extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
The economic toll exceeded R25 billion, a sobering indication of the catastrophic impact such weather events can have on the region.
For Wednesday, 18 December 2024, residents can expect:
- Morning fog over the central interior.
- Partly cloudy to hot conditions early in the day, transitioning to cloudy skies with widespread showers and thundershowers.
- Coastal winds shifting from easterly to southeasterly later in the day.
Communities in low-lying and flood-prone areas are advised to take extra precautions, as water levels may rise rapidly.
