North West on high alert amid expectation of severe weather

The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), in coordination with district and local municipalities, emergency services and other relevant stakeholders, has activated monitoring and preparedness measures, as the province braces for severe weather conditions.

This follows the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warning that severe thunderstorms are to develop over parts of the Free State, North West and Gauteng from Friday afternoon into Saturday evening. 

The storms could be accompanied by heavy rainfall, strong and potentially damaging winds, excessive lightning and hail, with the potential for localised flooding in vulnerable areas as well as a significant drop in temperatures.

Head of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, Tebogo Gaolaolwe, said the province is on high alert and closely monitoring the developing weather system expected to move across several parts of the country over the weekend.

Gaolaolwe urged communities, motorists, farmers and all residents of the North West to remain vigilant and closely monitor official weather updates as the system develops.

“Caution is advised in low-lying and flood-prone areas, near rivers and streams, and when travelling during periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The PDMC will continue to monitor developments in collaboration with municipal disaster management teams and will activate appropriate response mechanisms should the situation warrant intervention,” Gaolaolwe said.

The weather service also warned that the risk of severe thunderstorms is expected to shift further eastwards, affecting parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from Sunday morning, with the possibility of extending into the southern parts of Limpopo. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.