Weather: Major flood warning issued for these areas in SA

A major flood warning issued in South Africa went out on the SA Weather Service (SAWS) social media channels. As mentioned in the SAWS release, the window for the flood warning issued in South Africa starts tomorrow (Saturday 6 April) and runs till Tuesday 9 April. And these are the areas that will be affected …

FLOOD WARNING ISSUED IN SOUTH AFRICA

The SAWS warns that an intense cut-off low system will bring severe rain and thundershowers to many areas of the country. Basically, following many months of heatwaves and low rain, Mzansi is about to have the mother of all storms. So, strap in. The concern, however, is that the last cut-off low of this magnitude in 2023 brought with it widespread flooding and destruction.

Cooler temperatures are expected to take hold from tomorrow (Saturday 6 April). This is while the cut-off low positions itself off the West Coast of the country. On Sunday, it will move inland into the Northern Cape, bringing rain. And by Monday it will reach the wider Western Cape. Finally exiting the Southern Coast on Tuesday 9 April.  

DISASTER MANAGEMENT ON HIGH ALERT

The similarities between this cut-off low and the one that brought widespread flooding to the Western Cape and Overberg last year are uncanny. And no one should underestimate the severity of the incoming weather. As a result, the SAWS urges the public to take all necessary precautions. Stay indoors, off the roads and avoid crossing bridges of swollen rivers in the rain.

Besides the flood warning issued in South Africa, the weather service says it is monitoring its Numeric Weather Predictions (NWP), too. This is due to the intensity and uncertainty of modelling such extreme weather. But it will keep the public updated in the coming hours. For reference, upwards of 75 mm of rain was predicted in Cape Town. Latest modelling suggests this will slacken to 32 mm. Stay tuned for more updates.

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