KZN flood warning: Authorities on high alert amid torrential rain

Emergency services are on high alert in KwaZulu-Natal following a Yellow Level 2 and 4 warning by the South African Weather Services (Saws) for disruptive rain resulting in localised flooding.

Saws issued the alerts for KZN on Monday, as other parts of the country also experience wet weather conditions.

Warnings

“Yellow level 2 for disruptive rain resulting in localised flooding of susceptible formal/informal settlements or roads, low-lying areas and bridges in the north western parts of the KwaZulu-Natal.

“Yellow level 4 for disruptive rain resulting in localised flooding of susceptible formal/informal settlements or roads, low-lying areas and bridges is expected over the extreme south-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal,” Saws warned.

Saws said other provinces affected by the Yellow level 2 warning include the escarpment and Highveld of Mpumalanga, the eastern parts of Free State as well as the north-eastern coast and adjacent interior of the Eastern Cape.

ALSO READ: The most catastrophic floods yet recorded in KZN

KZN Cogta

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZNCOGTA) also warned municipalities of the expected heavy rains that may cause flooding and infrastructural damage.

“The heavy rainfall is expected to affect the following municipalities: Abaqulusi, Dannhauser, eDumbe, eMadlangeni, Endumeni, eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mkhambathini, Ndwedwe, Newcastle, Nquthu, Umdoni, Umzumbe, and Ray Nkonyeni.

“The rains may cause flooding and damages to mud houses, roads, low lying bridges and rivers while other areas may suffer infrastructural damages,” KZNCOGTA said.

Precautions

The department has urged communities and motorists to be extra cautious and to ensure they are in safe areas during this time.

“All disaster management centres and their teams have been activated in all municipalities to address any challenges that may arise.

“Residents living in low-lying areas or those situated near rivers are encouraged to monitor water levels,” the department said.

Emergency services

Meanwhile, ALS Paramedics and emergency services have urged motorists in the province to exercise caution during the adverse weather conditions in Durban and the surrounding areas.

Spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said they are on high alert.

“We’ve been kept extremely busy with multiple accidents this morning. We would like to caution motorists that there are currently many roads that are waterlogged and urge you to please leave a little earlier to reach your destination on time, and to please slow down your speed.

“We are seeing a lot of the collisions are involving speed and traffic in general is severely congested in all areas due to the wet weather,” Jamieson said.

ALSO READ: KZN flood victims still crying for help nearly a year after disaster