Staff Reporter
eThekwini Municipality has placed its disaster management and emergency services teams on high alert as severe thunderstorms threaten flooding, infrastructure damage and dangerous conditions across large parts of Durban this weekend.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms, which the municipality said would remain in effect until 11.59pm on Sunday, 8 November.
In its weekend outlook, SAWS forecast widespread showers and thunderstorms across KZN on Saturday and Sunday, with isolated to scattered thunderstorms over other eastern parts of the country.
A Yellow Level 4 warning indicates potentially significant weather impacts, including flooding of settlements, roads and bridges, damage to infrastructure and disruptions to essential services.
The weather service attributed the unsettled conditions affecting the province earlier in the week to an upper-air trough and a surface trough over central South Africa, creating conditions favourable for thunderstorms.
In a statement on Saturday, eThekwini Municipality said its emergency personnel were monitoring the situation and that departments responsible for responding to weather-related incidents had been activated.
“Municipal Emergency Services teams are closely monitoring the situation and remain on standby. Relevant municipal departments have also been activated to respond to weather-related incidents across the city,” the municipality said.
The city warned that residents could face flooding, fallen trees, damaged infrastructure and dangerous driving conditions, particularly in areas vulnerable to rising water levels.
The latest alert follows several severe weather warnings issued for KZN during the past week.
On Thursday and Friday, SAWS placed large parts of the province under Yellow Level 4 warnings for severe thunderstorms, with heavy rainfall, hail and lightning threatening settlements, infrastructure and transport routes.
Affected areas during those earlier warnings included eThekwini, Newcastle, Ladysmith, Estcourt, Howick, KwaDukuza and Mandeni.
The municipality urged residents to remain indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather.
People were warned not to attempt to cross rivers or streams where water rises above ankle height, while motorists were advised against driving through flooded roads and low-lying bridges.
Residents whose vehicles become trapped in floodwater were advised to leave their vehicles and move to higher ground where it is safe to do so.
Motorists were also urged to reduce their speed and maintain a safe following distance, while rural residents were advised to move livestock to higher ground.
Residents can report disaster-related incidents through the municipality’s Disaster Management WhatsApp Chatbot on 076 546 6883.
Life-threatening emergencies should be reported to the city’s Emergency Call Centre on 031 361 0000.
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