Gauteng weather warnings

SEVERE thunderstorms predicted for parts of SA on Saturday – Photo: Stock/Canva

SEVERE thunderstorms predicted for parts of SA on Thursday

The South Africa Weather Services (SAWS) warned that severe thunderstorms would affect parts of South Africa on Thursday.

Gauteng weather warnings

SEVERE thunderstorms predicted for parts of SA on Saturday – Photo: Stock/Canva

Severe thunderstorms and damaging winds are expected to make landfall in parts of South Africa on Thursday. This could also lead to power outages. 

THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL MAKE LANDFALL ON THURSDAY

The South African Weather Services (SAWS) warned on Wednesday that the severe thunderstorms would affect parts of the Eastern Cape on Thursday. 

SAWS issued a level 2 warning for Thursday. 

“Localised damage to infrastructure, settlements (informal), property, vehicles, livelihood and livestock can be expected due to the combination of heavy downpours, strong damaging winds and excessive lightning.

“Further, heavy downpours are expected to result in localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges and possibly cause minor vehicle accidents,” it said. 

ALSO READ: Eskom warns SEVERE thunderstorms predicted for parts of SA may cause power interruptions

WHAT PARTS OF SOUTH AFRICA WILL BE AFFECTED: 

Here are the areas that will be affected: 

  • King Sabata Dalindyebo 
  • Mthatha
  • Amahlathi
  • Stutterheim
  • Mnquma
  • Butterworth
  • Raymond Mhlaba – Fort Beaufort 
  • Great Kei
  • Komga
  • Buffalo City
  • East London
  • Ngqushwa
  • Peddie

TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN DRIVING

All road users are requested to take extra caution:

  • Reduce speed
  • Switch on your headlights
  • Pedestrians should be careful when crossing the road
  • Avoid crossing rivers and streams where water is above your ankles

“We urged households to open/make pathways to allow water to flow out of their yards.”

RESIDENTS ARE WARNED TO STAY INDOORS

It furthermore warned residents to stay indoors.

“If possible, stay indoors, away from metal objects and open windows. Do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects. Do not go fishing or play golf as both the golf clubs and fishing rods are good conductors of electricity. Be aware that any combination of hail, strong winds, and heavy downpours can accompany the storms. Do not try to cross flooded areas whether walking or driving.” 

ESKOM WARNS OF POSSIBLE OUTAGES 

Meanwhile, Eskom urged customers experiencing interruptions to alert the utility through its chatbot, Alfred, or its contact centre.

Eskom warned that persistent inclement weather conditions in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape could trigger electricity-supply interruptions and urged any customers that experience such interruptions to alert the power utility.

The power utility encouraged customers to use Alfred, an Eskom customer service chatbot, developed to assist customers with logging electricity faults and feedback without having to call the Eskom contact centre.

ESKOM CUSTOMERS URGED TO LOG FAULTS WITH THE APP 

“The app allows users to log a fault and immediately provides a reference number needed to track progress on the fault.

“All customers who use the platform will receive an automatic reply stating that Eskom encourages them to use Alfred the chatbot or the MyEskom customer app to log faults and receive a reference number rapidly on the customer’s mobile phone,” the statement said.

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