KwaZulu-Natal disaster teams on high alert as heavy rain persists
The South African Weather Service said over 50mm rain is expected in KwaZulu-Natal as it issued an orange level 6 warning.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) says disaster management teams are on high alert as heavy rain is expected to persist in parts of the province.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had issued an orange level 6 warning for heavy, disruptive rain and thunderstorms.
ALSO READ: KZN Flooding: Guidelines on management of schools and offices
RAIN PERSISTS IN PARTS OF KWAZULU-NATAL
The weather service issued an orange level 6 warning for King Cetshwayo and Umkhanyakude District Municipalities, while a yellow level 2 warning has been issued for other municipalities in the eastern parts of the province.
The department said after closely monitoring the torrential rains since Monday, 16 October, disaster management teams have not reported any major or serious incidents at this stage. The only impact has been on traffic flow, particularly in the eThekwini Metro, where some roads had to be temporarily closed due to flooding.
ALSO READ: eThekwini Municipality: Roads to AVOID due to heavy rain
Durban – RAIN: more rain across parts of Ethekwini region pic.twitter.com/0qJn56jOCX
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) October 17, 2023
Durban – 10 October 2017: 6 years ago today the region was hit by a cut off low dropping 195 mm of rain in a short space of time pic.twitter.com/bI3XXfEgtJ
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) October 10, 2023
Durban – 10 October 2017: 6 years ago today the region was hit by a cut off low dropping 195 mm of rain in a short space of time pic.twitter.com/bI3XXfEgtJ— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) October 10, 2023
KZN COGTA spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said as rain persists, residents are advised to avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where the water level is above ankle height. The disaster management teams and the joint operation cluster will remain on high alert to monitor the situation across the province.
Mngadi further urged residents to adhere to the instructions issued by the municipalities and law enforcement agencies regarding road closures due to flooding.
“All municipalities that are likely to be affected have taken precautionary measures, including preparing evacuation plans, such as public buildings as safe havens in case some people need to be evacuated.
“Residents in low-lying areas are advised to move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level. We also appeal to all residents to postpone non-essential travelling as some roads are flooded during this period,” he added.