The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 6 warning for disruptive rainfall across large parts of KwaZulu-Natal, urging residents to remain on high alert from Thursday evening into Friday.
Heavy downpours are expected to cause flooding and potential damage to infrastructure, particularly in coastal areas, including eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, and Umzumbe.
Weather forecaster Thandiwe Gumede warned that significant rainfall is expected, with thunderstorms also posing a risk in some areas.
“The Level 6 alert indicates a high likelihood of significant impacts, such as flooding and infrastructure damage, across multiple townships and cities,” said Gumede. “This could put a strain on emergency services, potentially delaying response times.”
Residents are urged to take precautionary measures, stay informed about weather alerts, and avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas.
The severe weather conditions are expected to persist into the early hours of Friday morning.