KZN flood warning

THE weather service has forecast heavy rains that might lead to flooding in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal for today and the weekend.

Forecaster Thandiwe Gumede said: “Today there will be heavy rain of 50mm or more.”

She said there was a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the province over the weekend.

KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department spokesman Lennox Mabaso said the department had placed provincial disaster management teams on standby.

“The reports received from the South African Weather Service indicate that western parts of the province – Newcastle, Nquthu, Dundee, Vryheid and eDumbe in Zululand – will be the most affected,” said Mabaso.

According to the department, 220 households were affected by severe storms in the uMzinyathi district. “The department’s reports indicate that 11 people were injured in Nquthu, with 5 people injured by lightning and one fatality as a result of this strike in the Msinga municipality.”

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube urged people who live in low-lying areas to be on the alert and move to higher ground.

“We have in the past experienced unnecessary loss of life in communities living near rivers. We also urge motorists to drive carefully and to avoid crossing low-lying bridges,” said Dube-Ncube.

The MEC urged parents and teachers to ensure pupils used the safest routes to schools during exams. “Our disaster management teams are on standby and will be able to provide assistance,” DubeNcube said.