WEATHER TODAY: Severe thunderstorms for Ladysmith, Secunda and Piet Retief

Areas: Pofadder, Malmesbury, Cape Town city.

• Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.

What to do: All personnel and equipment should be removed from the field. Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on full stand-by. At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time. All available aircraft are to be called for without delay.

Areas: Escourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Dannhauser, Underberg, Paulpietersburg, Utrecht, Dundee, Kokstad, Impendle, Donnybrook, Abaqulusi, Goodhom, Giants Castle, Mooi River, Pomeroy, Newcastle, Nkandla, Nongoma, Nqutu, Royal National Park, Ulundi, Howick, New Hanover, Greytown, Umzimkhulu, uPhongolo.

• Flooding of settlements which may lead to displacement of affected communities.
• Danger to life due to fast-flowing river streams.
• Mudslides, rockfalls and soil erosion.
• Flooding of roads and damage to bridges which may lead to road closure and the disruption of traffic flow.
• Potential disruption of essential services (e.g. water, electricity and communication networks).
• Large amounts of small hail/ large hail over an open area.

What to do: Where it is reasonable, stay in doors and off the road (in the road stretch where there may be sinkholes and/or potholes), Avoid crossing swollen rivers and streams and if trapped in floods, leave the vehicle and climb to the higher ground, In buildings (at home), place valuables above the expected flood level where they will be safe, In rural areas, protect, relocate animals to a safe, higher ground, Contact authorities from disaster management where things become uncontrollable.

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

• Falling trees blocking minor roads.
• Flooding.
• Service disruption due to power surges/disruptions
• Damage to vehicles and structures
• Hazardous driving conditions.

What to do: Seek safe shelter from hail. Drive carefully. Stay away from flooded areas.

Areas: Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, King Shaka Airport, Makatini, Stanger, Mandini, Maphumulo, Camperdown, Melmoth, Riverview, Ndwedwe, Margate, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg, Ixopo, Pennington, Mbazwana, Richards Bay, Eshowe, Harding, St Faith's (Cathula).

• Localised flooding of susceptible formal/informal settlements, low-lying roads and bridges is possible.
• Difficult driving conditions can be expected on dirt roads
• Minor motor vehicle accidents due to poor visibility and slippery roads.
• Major roads affected but can be used with increased travel times.

What to do: Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles. In rural areas move lifestock to a safe place on higher ground. In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level. Take caution when traveling on roads as potholes may be filled with water, and if trapped in a vehicle during a flood, abandon it and climb to higher ground.

Areas: Mokopane, Mogoto, Thabazimbi, Sabie, Heidelberg, Westonaria, Randfontein, Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Pretoria, Bela-Bela, Nokaneng, Apel, Nelspruit, Delmas, Jane Furse, Meyerton, Balfour, Johannesburg, Fetakgomo/Greater Tubatse – Burgersfort / Tubatse/.

• Damages to properties and settlements (formal and informal) due to wind and hail
• Localised flooding of low-water bridges, and susceptible settlements
• Disruption to power supply and communications

What to do: Seek safe shelter from hail and lightning. Drive carefully. Stay away from flooded areas.

• Orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms leading to flooding of roads, settlements and low-lying areas, disruptions to power supply and communications are expected over far eastern parts of Free State, western parts of Kwazulu Natal and the Highveld of Mpumalanga.
• Yellow Level 2 warning.. for severe thunderstorms resulting in localised flooding and damage of settlements/property, and localised disruptions to power supply and communications over the eastern parts North West, eastern and central parts of the Free State, southern parts of Limpopo, the north eastern parts of Mpumalanga, Gauteng as well the southern parts and coast of KwaZulu Natal.
• Yellow level 1 warning for damaging winds leading to localised damage to temporary structures and difficulty in navigation at sea are expected between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas.

• Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over the western parts of Free State, western parts of North-West, Northern Cape and over the Khai-Ma Local Municipality of the Northern Cape as well as the City of Cape Town District and Swartland Local Municipality of the Western Cape.

Towns today

Towns today

Towns today

Towns today

Towns today