Amid an array of weather warnings, parts of South Africa are bracing for a deluge as heavy floods are forecasted to strike on Monday, 16 October 2023.
Heavy rain, floods expected in these parts of South Africa on Monday, 16 October 2023
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has flagged several warnings with an Orange Level 6 warning taking precedence for the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coast on the aforementioned date.
This alert underscores the anticipation of heavy and disruptive rainfall along the KZN coast and its adjacent interior, particularly targeting the southern coast.
The looming weather event has raised the alarm for possible widespread flooding, escalating the vigilance of local authorities and residents alike.
The weather pattern is set to bring scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers over KZN, with rainfall accumulation exceeding 50mm.
Such a voluminous downpour is expected to inundate roads, bridges, and settlements, thereby elevating the risk levels across the region. The repercussions of this weather system extend to endangering lives, particularly in areas with fast-flowing streams and deep waters.
The forecasted conditions are likely to cause major disruption to traffic flow as key roads become submerged, hindering mobility across affected areas.
Beyond the immediate peril to life and impeded transit, the heavy rainfall threatens to disrupt essential services including water, electricity, and communication.
The advisories also draw attention to potential damage to mud-based houses which are particularly vulnerable to such severe weather conditions.
In a tiered approach to weather warnings, an Orange Level 5 warning has also been issued signalling disruptive rain that could lead to flooding of roads and settlements along the coast between King.
Simultaneously, a Yellow Level 2 warning has been flagged for disruptive rain leading to localised flooding of informal settlements, roads, low-lying areas, and bridges between Buffalo City Metro and Port Edwards.
Adding to the weather woes, a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms is projected for the western and central interior of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, extending to parts of Gauteng, north-eastern Free State, and most parts of KZN.
These thunderstorms could bring about damaging winds, a significant amount of small hail, and heavy downpours, and are expected to cause the breaking of tree branches and damage to poorly constructed settlements.