Large parts of the Eastern Cape are bracing for disruptive snowfall, dangerous winds and heavy rain, with severe weather expected to cause travel and service disruptions from Monday into Tuesday.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snow over the Chris Hani District and the Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele municipalities.
The warning is expected to remain in place until Tuesday, August 11, with conditions potentially resulting in major traffic disruptions, impacts on livelihoods and some communities becoming temporarily inaccessible.
Damaging winds
A Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging winds and waves has also been issued along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
The weather could disrupt small harbours and ports, create dangerous navigation conditions and affect coastal activities. Infrastructure and settlements could also be damaged, while flying debris could pose a risk of injury and death.
A separate Yellow Level 4 damaging wind warning covers the KZN coast and north-eastern adjacent interior, where formal and informal settlements could be affected.
More snow and rain expected
A Yellow Level 2 disruptive snow warning is in place for parts of the Eastern Cape, the eastern and southern Free State along the Lesotho border and western KwaZulu-Natal.
The snow could cause localised traffic disruptions, isolated livestock and crop losses, as well as disruptions to services.
The affected Eastern Cape municipalities include Dr Beyers Naude, Blue Crane, Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi, Intsika Yethu, Dr AB Xuma, Mhlontlo and Mzimvubu.
A Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain has also been issued for Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Ingquza Hill and Bizana municipalities in the Eastern Cape, as well as the extreme southern and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
The rain could result in localised flooding of vulnerable settlements, roads and bridges.
Severe thunderstorms, capable of causing localised damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, property and vehicles, are expected over the extreme southern North West, north-eastern Free State and southern Gauteng.
A further Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for damaging winds in parts of the Eastern Cape’s Joe Gqabi District, central and eastern Northern Cape, the Free State and extreme western North West.
KZN disaster teams on high alert
KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has placed provincial disaster management response units on high alert following the severe weather advisory.
According to the advisory, a cold front accompanied by a cut-off low is expected to affect the Free State, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, southern Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal into Tuesday.
Very cold and windy conditions, snowfall over mountainous areas and rough to very rough seas are expected in affected areas.
The public and small-stock farmers have been urged to take the necessary precautions.
Residents in affected areas are advised to exercise caution, particularly when travelling, while emergency operations centres will monitor conditions during the warning period.
For KZN, authorities have urged residents to contact their local municipality’s emergency dispatch or disaster management centre if immediate assistance is required.
