The South African Weather Service issued a Level 2 warning for disruptive rain over eastern KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday. The warning covers eThekwini and is valid until 11pm.
Heavy rain was expected to reach Durban and nearby areas from about 1pm. The weather service said low-lying roads and homes could be flooded.
“There is an 80% chance of showers and thundershowers across most parts of KwaZulu-Natal,” meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela told IOL on Saturday morning.
Thobela said the storms would start in the afternoon, when temperatures were at their highest. He said the worst thunderstorms were expected in the western and southern parts of the province.
These areas include Underberg, Kokstad and Estcourt. Thobela said fast-flowing water there could put lives in danger, and lightning and hail were possible.
“One thing to note is that with the impact, we expect flooding of settlements, which may lead to the displacement of affected communities,” he said.
He asked people to stay indoors and off the roads where they could. He also told them not to cross streams, and to climb to higher ground if they were trapped by floods.
Thobela warned drivers to stay away from roads with sinkholes and potholes.
The weather service warning said bridges, low-lying roads, and formal and informal settlements in the east of the province could flood. It said dirt roads would be hard to drive on.
According to the warning, poor visibility and slippery roads could lead to minor accidents. Major roads were expected to stay open, but trips would take longer.
The eThekwini Municipality said in a statement on Saturday that the city was likely to be one of the hardest-hit areas. It said hail and damaging winds were also likely.
The municipality asked drivers to slow down and leave more space between their car and the one in front. It warned residents never to try to cross a river or stream that is running high, especially where the water comes above the ankle.
The city said its disaster management team and emergency services were on standby to respond to incidents.
Durban has faced several storms in the past year. In September, a Level 6 storm damaged homes and municipal infrastructure in 27 wards across the city, the municipality said at the time.
The city was also put on high alert under a Level 4 thunderstorm warning in February. In March last year, flash floods washed away roads and pushed rivers over their banks across the metro.
The municipality said the warning could change. It asked residents to follow its official platforms for updates.
Residents can report incidents on the disaster management WhatsApp chatbot on 076 546 6883. In a life-threatening emergency, they can call the city’s emergency call centre on 031 361 0000.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.