Mpumalanga is part of three provinces expected to feel the wrath of tropical Cyclone Eloise this weekend.
Cyclone Eloise on course to hit northeastern South Africa
In a statement, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) explained that Eloise “is expected to reach tropical cyclone status and make landfall near Beira in Mozambique.”
“It is then expected to become an overland depression and result in significant rain over eastern parts of SA. Have a look at the alert areas below,” SAWS added.
⚠️ ELOISE is expected to reach Tropical Cyclone status and make landfall near Beira in Mozambique. It is then expected to become an overland depression and result in significant rain over eastern parts of SA. Have a look at the alert areas below. pic.twitter.com/zSvbnATpiz
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 22, 2021
According to the weather service, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo could experience strays of Eloise, some provinces more severe than others.
In Mpumalanga, for instance, Eskom has escalated contingency plans to minimise the impact of the cyclone on its power stations. This brings the threat of loadshedding but the power utility made assurances which suggest that they have everything under control.
“Eskom has put contingency plans in place and our teams are on standby to do everything possible to mitigate these risks. Several plans are in place in anticipation of the storm, and Eskom is also covering a wider area than what is predicted by the weather specialists to ensure we are not caught off guard,” the power utility stated.
Weather warnings for this weekend
When Cyclone Eloise makes landfall in Beira, it will bring with it more than 200mm of heavy rains and harsh winds travelling as fast as 150km/hr.
By the time it makes its way past the northeastern side of South Africa, it would have cooled below the above estimates. The effects of the cyclone are likely to be felt on Sunday.
Here’s a look at predicted rainfall patterns taken from Ventusky on the parts of the country that will likely be affected by the torrential weather.
KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
