Durban — The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has called on residents to be vigilant as heavy rains were predicted across KwaZulu-Natal on Monday afternoon.
MEC Sihle Zikalala said the start of spring had brought the possibility of disruptive weather conditions within the province.
Cogta said it received a weather warning from the South African Weather Service that indicated inclement weather conditions could be expected across large parts of the province, starting from this afternoon into the evening.
“We urge our communities to heed this warning as the weather service indicates that there could be disruptive rainfall in areas under the districts of Harry Gwala, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Ilembe parts of uMzinyathi and the Ethekwini Metro,” Zikalala said.
He said the department placed their disaster management teams on high alert, and they would be monitoring several areas that had been identified by the alert, as being at high risk because of the weather conditions.
“We would like to urge communities to continue to be vigilant, and to exercise all the necessary precautions, especially those that relate to crossing rivers or flooded walkways,” Zikalala said.
“We urge parents to ensure that pupils utilise routes that are safe to get to and from school.”
The weather warning indicated inclement weather conditions could lead to localised flooding in formal and informal areas and low-lying bridges. This weather may also create difficult driving conditions, and motorists were urged to exercise vigilance.
Zikalala said those affected by inclement weather conditions were asked to report this to their local municipality either through the ward councillor or through their nearest disaster management centre.
Areas that could be impacted by the weather conditions were Dr N Dlamini-Zuma, Underberg, Ethekwini, Greater Kokstad, Impendle, Inkosi Langalibalele, Estcourt, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mpofana, Giants Castle, Mooi River, Ndwedwe, Okhahlamba, Ray Nkonyeni, Richmond, Msunduzi, Ubuhlebezwe, Umdoni, uMlalazi, uMngeni, uMshwathi, Umuziwabantu, Umvoti, Umzimkhulu and Umzumbe.
Daily News