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Residents walk between flooded shacks following severe weather.
The South African Weather Service says heavy rainfall has been recorded over parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
The highest rainfall figure was recorded at Vryheid in the north of the province, with over 70 millimetre by 8am on Monday morning, and 55 millimetre at Cedara.
Between 40 and 50 millimetre was recorded at Mooi River, Mkahathini, Pongola and Ixopo.
Forecaster Thandiwe Gumede says more widespread showers and thundershowers are expected on Monday and on Tuesday.
“In terms of the rainfall figures that have been recorded from yesterday up until this morning, [I] will just highlight some of the highest values that we have received. Over Vryheid, we have recorded 71,8mm [and] Makhathini which is in the extreme northern part of KwaZulu-Natal has recorded 49mm, Ulundi recorded 42,8mm.”
Meanwhile, provincial disaster management teams have been placed on high alert.
The weather service is warning of heavy rainfall that could cause low-water bridges to overflow, localized flooding and significant disruption to major travel routes as holidaymakers return home.
Provincial Cooperative Governance spokesperson Senzo Mzila says areas that are along the coast of the province such as the Harry Gwala district are mostly going to be affected.
“From the warning that we received, the areas that are along the coast of the province from the Harry Gwala District, iLembe, eThekwini, King Cetshwayo, Mkhanyakude and parts of the Zululand District. All of these areas are the ones that have got a level 8 weather warning.”
“Other parts of the province have got a level four warning. So large parts of the province, specifically areas that are low lying , those are the ones that we expect to be affected. Those areas are being monitored by our disaster management team,” explains Mzila.
