Severe weather events have swept across South Africa this week, leading to alarming instances of flooding, tornadoes, and intense thunderstorms. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has raised multiple warnings for several provinces, indicating the high level of risk associated with the current atmospheric conditions.
Parts of the country, particularly Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and the Free State, are under severe scrutiny as torrential rains and storm conditions threaten to create more chaos. SAWS has issued orange level 5 and level 6 warnings due to the anticipated heavy downpours, strong winds, and the potential for hail and lightning strikes. Residents are being urged to prepare for localised flooding, mudslides, and hazardous driving conditions resulting from the inclement weather.
Reports indicate significant damage has already occurred. For example, Pretoria North experienced the worst of the weather on Tuesday evening, February 18, when a tornado wreaked havoc, damaging hundreds of homes and uprooting trees. "A residential complex on Veda Street near Enkeldoorn Street was badly affected as several buildings within the complex suffered major damage," stated Tshwane spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni, as reported by Business Tech.
The tornado set off alarm bells across local communities, forcing evacuations. Emergency services from Tshwane responded by offering temporary shelters for those displaced and assessing damage across the province. Mnguni mentioned officials are coordinating assistance for affected families as recovery efforts begin.
One local resident, Moipone Selepe, shared her harrowing experience during the tornado. "I have never been so scared and confused, I really saw my life flash in front of my eyes." Her survival story was echoed by many who were caught off guard by the rapidly changing weather.
Besides the tornado, portions of KwaZulu-Natal faced their own challenges as the weather service indicated rainfall accumulation could reach up to 100 mm. Residents were cautioned about the impact of the storms lasting through Thursday morning, with significant amounts of rain expected potentially leading to extensive flooding. A spokesperson for SAWS noted, "The flooding may extend up until Thursday morning in places," highlighting the prolonged risk of inundation.
Meanwhile, Gauteng and various localized communities were reminded of the immediate dangers posed by saturated ground conditions. Streets and highways across affected areas have already reported significant flooding, causing disruptions to traffic as roads became impassable. Theo Nkonki, the Gauteng Cogta spokesperson, revealed, "We are experiencing flooding on roads, infrastructure, but we're also seeing falling trees. Residents are advised to avoid crossing streams and low bridges during this turbulent weather."
The risk of mudslides has also risen with the heavy rains, posing threats to homes and livestock. With the continued presence of La Niña conditions, many of these storms and floods were anticipated during this time of year. A forecast suggested the intense weather patterns would shift to more neutral conditions between March and May, but for now, communities face difficult days of cleaning and rebuilding.
For families, these storms felt like the culmination of years of struggle with heavy rains. Dolly Mkhonza, a 62-year-old resident from Protea South, shared the realities of living with flooding along her ground floor dwelling. "When it rains like this I, together with my grandchildren, literally cannot get out of bed." Many residents expressed frustrations over the lack of intervention during extreme weather events.
Across multiple regions, communities are being urged to heed warnings from the South African Weather Service and take precautions to safeguard their properties from storm damage. Experts suggest proactive measures, such as clearing gutters and securing outdoor belongings, to help minimize risks.
With severe weather continuing to affect South Africa throughout the week, the government and SAWS are on high alert, closely monitoring developments and responding to the needs of communities impacted.
Disruption of normal life, road closures, and emergency alerts serve as sobering reminders of nature's unpredictable power, as South Africans navigate one of their most challenging weather episodes this year.
Preparedness and awareness will be key to weathering these storms as authorities urge everyone to stay tuned for updates and safety precautions. The resilience of South African communities will undoubtedly be tested, but with awareness and the proper precautions, they can weather the storm.