The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has put disaster management teams on high alert following a weather warning for severe thunderstorms in northern KZN.
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning, forecasting heavy downpours, significant small hail, and damaging winds. Areas expected to be impacted include eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Estcourt, and Newcastle.
COGTA spokesperson Senzo Mzila stated that the storm is anticipated to affect the region until midnight. "The severe thunderstorms may cause localized damage to infrastructure, settlements, vehicles, livelihoods, and livestock. Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution, as roads may become slippery. Disaster management teams have been deployed to monitor high-risk areas and will continue to oversee the situation," Mzila said.