The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is on high alert after the South Africa Weather Service issued a yellow level 2 alert warning for disruptive rain and damaging winds in various parts of the Eastern Cape.
According to the the SAWS, disruptive rain is expected to take place from September 24 to 25 with the following areas being affected, Amahlathi, Blue Crane Route, Baviaans, Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, Emalahleni, Komani, Molteno, Tarkastad, Great Kei, Ingquza Hill, Intsika Yethu, Inxuba Yethemba, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Mbhashe, Mbizana, Mnquma, Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Adelaide, Fort Beaufort, Sakhisizwe and Burgersdorp.
The statement said that 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 with a maximum rainfall expected along the coast and adjacent interior between Plettenberg Bay and East London.”
The statement further said that some of the effects of the rain will include:
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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 SAWS is advising people to listen for regular weather updates via radio and/or social media, postpone travel arrangements until it is safer to travel and avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams. People are also advised to monitor the weather conditions and if need be, identify areas to safely store valuable items from flood water.
In addition to the disruptive rain, from September 24 to 26, the following areas are expected to experience damaging winds, Amahlathi, Blue Crane Route, Buffalo City, Baviaans, Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville, Elundini, Emalahleni, Engcobo, Komani, Molteno, Tarkastad, Great Kei, Ingquza Hill, Intsika Yethu, Inxuba Yethemba, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Kouga, Kou-Kamma, Makana, Matatiele, Mbhashe, Mbizana, M_Buffalo City, M_Great Kei, M_Mbhashe, M_Mbizana, M_Mnquma, Nelson Mandela Bay, M_Ngqushwa, M_Ngquza Hill, Mnquma, M_Nyandeni, Ndlambe, Ngqushwa, Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Adelaide, Fort Beaufort, Sakhisizwe, Senqu, Sundays River Valley, Burgersdorp, and Jamestown.
The SAWS said that a cold front has passed through with the high pressure ridging in before it and resulting in strong to gale force winds.
“On Sunday, September 24, the winds are expected to be from the east and will impact the bulk of the province (excluding the Wild Coast and adjacent interior). On Monday, September 25, the wind will be from the north west and is expected to impact the bulk of the province (excluding the Wild Coast and adjacent interior). On Tuesday, September 26, the wind is expected to come from the south to southwest and is expected along the coast and adjacent interior.”
The SAWS said that the damaging winds may result in:
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Localised damage to settlements, properties, and temporary structures
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Localised disruption to roads due to flying/falling objects
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Difficult driving conditions and possible accidents due to cross winds
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Localised disruption to power supply and communication
The SAWS has advised the public to make sure structures are tied down properly and loose objects are secured, avoid traveling or drive at slower speeds and remain indoors if possible.
Henry Lansdown, acting director of disaster managing for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality said that based on the warnings received from the SAWS, they have advised that all outdoor events be cancelled.
“We have also alerted all vulnerable community of these extreme weather conditions,” said Lansdown.
“We have placed our operational staff on standby to respond to respond to any incidents that could occur in the area.”
Lansdown further said that the infrastructure teams have also been placed on standby to respond to any infrastructure related problems.
“We would like to warn the public to please take caution and take care,” said Lansdown.
