By Anita Dangazele
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha has asked drivers to be extra careful on the roads because heavy rain and possible flooding are expected in parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal from Sunday to Tuesday.
“We are appealing to the motorists to exercise caution on our roads as most of them are wet and slippery,” Nqatha said. He also reminded drivers to slow down and follow the road rules.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned on Saturday that these storms are caused by a cut-off low-pressure system.
“Some areas in the summer rainfall region recently experienced their first spring thunderstorms, but much of South Africa experienced calm weather conditions over the past few days,” SAWS said.
This will change with the arrival of the cut-off low-pressure system, which will bring bad weather to the southern, central, and eastern parts of the country from Sunday to Tuesday.
“Cut-off low-pressure systems are known for bringing severe weather during spring, like heavy rain that can cause flooding, as well as thunderstorms with hail and strong winds,” SAWS explained.
The system is expected to bring widespread rain to the coastal areas and nearby regions of the Eastern Cape and the southern and central coast of KwaZulu-Natal, which may cause minor to serious flooding in some areas.
“Severe thunderstorms are also possible over parts of the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal.”
SAWS said the cut-off low will start forming over the south-west of the country on Sunday, while a high-pressure system will bring moisture to the southern and eastern parts.
“These systems will lead to widespread rain over parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal from Sunday to Tuesday.”
Some weather models predict that between 100 and 200mm of rain could fall along the coastlines of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal during this time.
Pictured above: Heavy rainfall is expected along the eastern coastline of the country between Sunday and Tuesday.
Source: SAWS/X
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