South Africa is preparing for a weekend of severe weather as weather experts warn of a powerful low-pressure system expected to sweep across central and eastern regions of the country from Saturday until next Monday.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) on Friday issued warnings of widespread rainfall, severe thunderstorms and a sharp drop in daytime temperatures.
Key hazards include heavy downpours with localised flooding, damaging winds, hail and intense lightning activity.
“The possible resultant impacts include flooding of settlements and other properties, dangerous driving conditions, damage to infrastructure, as well as the disruption of essential services,” SAWS said.
“There could also be danger to life due to fast-flowing streams of water.”
The central interior – including North West, Free State and parts of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces – is expected to be impacted on Saturday.
The storm system is thereafter expected move eastward, affecting Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces from Sunday into Monday.
Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to exercise caution and monitor official updates as the situation develops.
JN/APA