Pietermaritzburg: KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka has issued a warning of heavy downpours that have the potential to cause flooding in various parts of KZN particularly in the northern areas regarding the approaching Tropical Storm Eloise. The MEC has thus placed disaster management teams in the uMkhanyakude District on high alert to prepare for emergency response to all incidents related to the storm if necessary.
This move follows reports that have been received by the department from the South African Weather Service indicating the possibility of heavy rains in the Northern parts of the province this Sunday as a result of the Tropical Storm Eloise.
“Eloise” is currently situated in the Mozambique Channel and is expected to make land fall in Mozambique.
According to the latest update from the South African Weather Service, the intensity of the storms that could be experienced by the province is greatly reduced. As a precaution communities situated in the low lying areas are being warned to be on high alert.
MEC Hlomuka has placed Disaster Management teams on high alert. The teams will be monitoring areas in the Mkhanyakude District that are prone to weather-related incidents so that they can provide assistance to communities should the need arise.
Hlomuka has urged communities in the Northern parts of the province to be vigilant and to take all the necessary precautions.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre continues to track and monitor the movement of the storm and updates will be provided as soon as they are available.