Disaster teams on high alert as level 9 rainfall warning issued for King Cetshwayo, uMkhanyakude districts

DISASTER management teams in the Zululand region and across KZN have been placed on high alert following a level 9 weather warning for disruptive rain for the province’s coastal strip and a level 5 warning for inland areas.

The SA Weather Service (SAWS) issued the warnings yesterday (Wednesday), which are in place from 2pm until midnight today.

ALSO READ: SA meteorologist issues La Niña weather warning

The level 9 warning includes King Cetshwayo and uMkhanyakude districts, with widespread showers and thunder showers expected.

“More than 50mm of rain is expected, which could lead to flooding of roads and settlements, displacement of communities and danger to life,” said the weather service.

Meanwhile, the rest of KZN, including Zululand District, has been placed on a level 5 warning for disruptive rain for the same period.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre has activated the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), which will meet daily with all disaster management teams from municipalities to take stock of the situation, said the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in a statement.

Residents of Big 5 Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, Jozini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatuba, Ndwedwe, uMhlabuyalingana, uMhlathuze and uMlalazi, among others, are urged to pay attention to the level 9 weather warning and take all the necessary precautions.

“Residents in the affected areas are requested to restrict unnecessary travelling as this might place them in danger,” said Cogta MEC Sihle Zikalala.

“Parents must be vigilant and guard children so they do not swim in rivers or go near large bodies of water.

“KZN has not fully recovered from the floods that took place last year; residents are urged to heed these warnings and to not take unnecessary risks.”

Wet summer predicted
This year’s wet summer season was forecast by SA meteorologist Johan van den Berg who in September issued a La Niña weather warning, saying farmers in summer rainfall areas should prepare for a third consecutive high rainfall season which could lead to flooding, waterlogged lands and crop damage.

He warned that ‘many dams are still very full after the previous two high-rainfall seasons, and therefore the [potential for] flood damage is concerning’.

He added that, while the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) was currently in a weak La Niña state, it was becoming stronger.

However, the La Niña phenomenon should start dissipating by February, and therefore slightly less rainfall would likely be experienced during the country’s autumn season this year compared with the rainfall experienced last year.

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