KZN disaster management centres on standby amid potential snowfall

In light of last weekend’s severe snowfall across KwaZulu-Natal and further afield, provincial government departments are keeping a close eye on weather forecasts for the coming weekend.

While not intending to instil fear, the KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has placed disaster management teams on standby across the province.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Stranded KZN motorists helped as snow is cleared

Should snowfall occur, affected areas the Drakensberg mountains and parts of Harry Gwala, uThukela, uMgungundlovu and Amajuba districts.

“Residents across the province are assured that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre will continue to engage directly with stakeholders, including municipalities, through the respective District Disaster Management Centres, social partners, and government entities responsible for law enforcement, disaster response and roads, to ensure plans are in place to deal with any eventuality should the weather conditions deteriorate,” said Cogta MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, adding that the department is closely monitoring SA Weather Service (SAWS) forecasts.

As at Thursday morning, according to the Severe Weather and Information Centre SA (SWAICSA), thunderstorms tracking east just south of South Africa were affecting the coastline between Port Alfred and East London, with the possibility of winds gusting between 60 and 80km/h affecting KwaZulu-Natal’s coast.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Heavy snow closes major KZN routes

Looking further ahead, the Zululand region is set to experience a warm weekend, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius in Richards Bay on Saturday.

Temperatures will plummet from Monday, however, with Richards Bay residents bracing for a cold, wet Monday and Tuesday, with highs of 18 and 15 respectively; Empangeni set for 17 and 16 with rain; Mtubatuba 18 and 15, also with rain; Hluhluwe 19 and 16 on Monday and Tuesday respectively, following a sweltering 36 today (Thursday); while eShowe residents can also expect a wet Monday and Tuesday, with the mercury reaching just 13 and 15 respectively.

Residents are urged to monitor weather forecasts through reliable sources.

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