Severe thunderstorms are forecast to affect large parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, prompting the South African Weather Service to issue a Yellow Level 4 warning for the province.
According to forecasters, most areas of the province excluding the north-eastern region, are expected to experience intense weather conditions. These may include heavy rainfall, damaging winds, excessive lightning and hail.
The severe conditions could lead to localised flooding and damage to infrastructure and informal settlements.
The province’s KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has deployed disaster management teams to several areas, including eThekwini, Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle.
Department spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said the teams were dispatched by MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi to ensure communities remain protected.
“These teams will monitor low-lying areas and places that are prone to weather-related incidents. The MEC has urged communities to remain vigilant and to avoid crossing low-lying bridges, as this could pose a serious risk,” said Mzila.
Meanwhile, the weather service has issued alerts ranging from Level 2 to Level 5 across six provinces nationwide.
In a related development, the eThekwini Municipality says it is accelerating housing plans for flood victims.
Mayor Cyril Xaba recently visited Montclair Lodge in southern Durban, where refurbishment work is underway to accommodate displaced residents.
Xaba said the municipality is collaborating with both provincial and national government to deliver the project and confirmed that progress on refurbishing the first 272 units is encouraging.
Flood victims will be temporarily accommodated at the lodge while they wait for permanent housing to be completed at the Cornubia Housing Project.
“When we’re done with phase one, which includes Block A and Block B of the complex, residents will move to phase two. I’m excited with what I’ve seen and want people to start moving into these facilities as quickly as possible so that we can reduce the cost of temporary accommodation,” Xaba said.