KZN on high alert as level 4 weather warning issued | The Witness

KwaZulu-Natal residents have been urged to brace for dangerous weather conditions, with the South African Weather Service (Saws) issuing a level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall, expected to begin on Tuesday.

Widespread and persistent rain is forecast across large parts of the province, with a high risk of flooding, traffic disruptions, and damage to property and infrastructure. In response, disaster management teams have been placed on high alert.

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The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has mobilised disaster response teams in anticipation of possible weather-related emergencies.

MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi urged residents to take the warning seriously and prepare for potentially dangerous conditions.

We are urging all residents in the affected areas to exercise extreme caution on Tuesday. Please avoid unnecessary travel, especially on dirt roads, and refrain from crossing rivers and swollen streams where the water level is above your ankles.

The affected areas include: Abaqulusi, Alfred Duma (Indaka and Ladysmith), Dannhauser, Dr N. Dlamini-Zuma (Underberg), eDumbe, eMadlangeni, Endumeni, eThekwini, Greater Kokstad, Impendle, Ingwe, Inkosi Langalibalele (Escourt and Sobabili), KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mpofana (Giants Castle and Mooi River), Msinga, Mthonjaneni, Ndwedwe, Newcastle, Nkandla, Nquthu, Okhahlamba, Ray Nkonyeni, and Richmond.

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Residents are advised to stay indoors and off the roads if possible, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams, abandon and climb to higher ground if trapped in a vehicle during a flood, move valuable items to a safe place above the expected flood level and move livestock to higher ground.

Buthelezi assured the public that disaster teams will be ready to respond swiftly to any emergencies.