KZN Faces Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms as Weather Warnings Intensify

The South African Weather Service has upgraded its warnings for KwaZulu-Natal, raising the initial Yellow Level 2 alert to an Orange Level 6 for disruptive rainfall and a Yellow Level 4 for severe thunderstorms. These conditions are expected to begin Thursday afternoon and continue throughout Friday.

Forecaster Ayanda Nsele stated that a frontal system moving through the region will bring significant rainfall, with an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the south-eastern parts of the province. Affected areas include eThekwini, Ugu, and Ilembe districts.

An Orange Level 6 warning has been issued for disruptive rain over these areas from Thursday late afternoon through Friday. The remainder of the province, except for the far north-eastern parts such as uMkhanyakude and uPhongolo, will be under a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms.

Nsele clarified that the weather alerts are not linked to Tropical Cyclone Jude, which poses no threat to South Africa.

According to the weather service, the heavy and persistent rainfall may lead to flooding of roads and settlements, especially in low-lying and informal areas.

There is a risk of damage to infrastructure and houses made from mud. Areas likely to be affected include eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mkhambathini, Ndwedwe, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, uMuziwabantu, and uMzumbe.

Possible impacts include:

• Flooding of roads, bridges, and both formal and informal settlements
• Danger to life due to fast-flowing water
• Major traffic disruptions on key roads
• Interruption of essential services including water, electricity, and communication
• Structural damage to mud-based houses

The South African Weather Service advises residents to take precautions such as:

• Avoid crossing rivers or swollen streams where water rises above ankle level
• If trapped in a vehicle during flooding, leave the vehicle and move to higher ground
• Move valuables to higher levels within buildings
• Switch off electricity at the main supply if flooding is expected
• In rural areas, relocate livestock to safer ground

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Jude, currently downgraded to a depression, was situated near the southern border of Malawi and Mozambique on Wednesday morning.

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Météo-France reported that Jude was producing heavy rain in southern Malawi and central Mozambique, especially along the coastal areas of Zambezia and Sofala provinces.

Jude is expected to move southeastward and re-enter the ocean overnight. As it approaches south-western Madagascar on Thursday and Friday, it could strengthen once more. However, by the weekend, it is expected to weaken and lose its tropical characteristics.

Météo-France warned that the province of Toliara in Madagascar will likely experience worsening weather conditions from Friday, with very heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous sea conditions expected.