Port St Johns and Buffalo City are a few of the areas that have been identified as areas that will experience extreme disruptive rain with an Orange level 8 warning being sent out by the South African Weather Services on September 24.
Additional areas include, Great Kei, Ingquza Hill, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Mbhashe, Mbizana, Mnquma and Nyandeni.
According to the SAWS, a cut-off low system moves over the province and is combined with a high pressure ridging in ahead of it. This convergence of moisture is expected to result in widespread disruptive rain on September 24.
The affected areas can experience the following:
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Localised flooding of susceptible settlements (formal/informal), roads, low-lying areas and bridges.
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Localised damage to mud-based and makeshift houses or structures.
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Difficult and dangerous driving conditions due to slippery roads and reduced visibility.
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Traffic disruptions due to localised flooding.
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Localised disruption to livelihoods.
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Danger to life.
The areas which will be affected by the Yellow level 2 warning for disruptive rain include, Emalahleni, Engcobo, Komani, Molteno, Tarkastad, Intsika Yethu, Inxuba Yethemba, Mhlontlo, Ntabankulu, Rdelaide, Fort Beaufort, Sakhisizwe and Umzimvubu.
According to the SAWS, widespread disruptive rain can be expected from September 24 to 25.
The affected areas can experience similar incidents of flooding, damage to structures, difficult driving conditions, traffic disruptions, disruption to livelihoods and danger to life.
“Listen for regular weather updates via radio and/or social media. Postpone travel arrangements until it is safer to travel. Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams. Monitor the weather conditions and if need be, identify areas to safely store valuable items from flood water,” said the SAWS.
