WEATHER TODAY: Richards Bay hits 39°C as heat wave holds Eastern Cape and KZN

Areas: Lady Frere, Somerset East, Graaff – Reinet, Cradock, Pofadder, Prince Albert, Calvinia, Beaufort West, Ladismith, Oudtshoorn, Laingsburg, De Aar, Griquastad, Aliwal North, Groblershoop, Prieska, Augrabies Falls, Warrenton, Hopetown, Fauresmith, Kimberley, Victoria West, Daniëlskuil, Upington, Petrusville, Noupoort, Barkly West, Koffiefontein, Twee Rivieren, Jan Kempdorp and 1 more.

• Damage to property/settlements, loss of grazing land and possible loss of animal and/or human life.

What to do: Public is advised not to start any fires under these conditions. At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.

Areas: Matatiele, Mount Ayliff, Molteno, Queenstown, Grahamstown, Libode, Lady Frere, Tsolo, Elliot, Lusikisiki, Tarkastad, Stutterheim, Cofimvaba, Ntabankulu, Dutywa, Maclear, Bizana, Ngcobo, Cradock.

• High discomfort
• Heat exhaustion
• Dehydration.
• Heat related illnesses

What to do: Drink lots of liquids and stay in shaded/cool areas with lots of ventilation. Avoid strenuous activities. Avoid exposure during the hottest time of the day. Do not keep elderly and children inside the cars. Seek help if you feel dizzy, weak, having intense thirst and headaches.

Areas: Prince Albert, Beaufort West, Ladismith, Oudtshoorn.

• When the temperature is extremely high, humans’ ability to cool their bodies through sweating is reduced. This can be a real threat that may lead to hyperthermia.
• In an extremely hot environment, the most serious health and safety concern is heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal if medical attention is not available immediately.

What to do: Avoid prolonged direct exposure to the sun as far as possible and drink plenty of water. Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Never leave kids in the car unattended. Make sure your animals have access to enough water. Check on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and young children.

Areas: Standerton, Skukuza, Piet Retief, Barberton, Nelspruit, Ermelo, Amersfoort, Witbank, Secunda, Carolina, Middelburg, Machadodorp.

• Persistently high temperatures affect the humans ability to cool their bodies through sweating. This can be a real threat that leads to heat related illness such as hyperthermia, heat stroke and respiratory conditions.
• In an extremely hot environment, the serious health and safety concern is heat stroke.

What to do: – stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day, wear appropriate clothing, and keep an eye on vulnerable Individuals.

• SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS:.

• Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over most parts of the Northern Cape, eastern parts of the Western Cape, in places over the western and central parts of the Eastern Cape, western parts of the Free State, in places over the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, south-eastern parts of Mpumalanga as well as the northern and western parts of Limpopo.

• A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected in places over the Chris Hani, O.R Tambo and Alfred Nzo District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape until Saturday, and in places over the northern parts of KwaZulu Natal until Sunday, as well as in places over Mpumalanga, except along the Escarpment until Monday.
• Very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are expected in places over the Central and Little Karoo District Municipalities in the Western Cape, as well as the eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
• Extremely uncomfortable and humid conditions are expected in places south of the Escarpment in the Eastern Cape.

Towns today

Towns today

Towns today

Towns today

Towns today