KZN disaster management teams have been placed on high alert ahead of severe thunderstorms expected to hit parts of the province on Sunday, The Witness reports.

KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi activated provincial disaster response units on Saturday after the South African Weather Service (Saws) issued a level 5 warning for eThekwini, uMgungundlovu and Ugu districts.

Saws has warned that the system could bring hail, heavy downpours, localised flooding and damaging winds.

According to Cogta, the provincial disaster management centre is monitoring conditions closely and coordinating readiness across municipalities and essential services.

Emergency teams, law enforcement and key government agencies have been placed on standby to respond to incidents.

Buthelezi urged residents in high-risk areas to take the warning seriously.

“Residents must exercise extreme vigilance and follow all instructions from disaster management officials and law enforcement,” he said.

The department warned that the storm could disrupt roads, electricity infrastructure and other essential services.

Residents are encouraged to secure outdoor items, avoid low-lying areas, and report emergencies to their local disaster management centres immediately.

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