Holidaymakers urged to check weather updates before travelling

January 6, 2025 43

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is urging holidaymakers to check the weather updates before returning to their destinations.

The weather service has warned of heavy and disruptive rain nationwide this week.

A level 8 warning has been issued for KwaZulu-Natal’s coastal areas, which have been hardest hit by inclement weather.

The warning comes as heavy traffic flows are expected to peak on the country’s major routes as travelers return home for work and school.

The major roads that motorists are urged to exercise caution while driving on include:

• N1: Pretoria to Polokwane
• N4: Pretoria to Mpumalanga
• N4: Pretoria to Rustenburg
• R573: Pretoria to Mpumalanga
• N12: Johannesburg to Mpumalanga
• N3: Johannesburg to Durban
• N1: Johannesburg to Bloemfontein
• N12: Johannesburg to Potchefstroom

Motorists are advised to conduct research on which roads are prone to floods and take alternative routes during heavy rains.

Severe thunderstorms left a trail of destruction in several parts of KZN during the festive season.

The New Year’s Day floods left homes and infrastructure destroyed in Vryheid, KZN.

Residents are still picking up the pieces of that disaster.

Forecaster, Lehlohonolo Thobela, says Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Free State and the North West will also experience inclement weather that is expected to last until Wednesday.

An orange level 6 warning has been issued for the five provinces, with a high possibility of localised flooding.

Yesterday, several homes and properties were ravaged after what has been dubbed a tornado-like wind hit Welkom.

Two people were hospitalised after the roof of a petrol station was blown away.

Residents have shared images of the disaster on social media.

Tornado in Welkom, South Africa today.
There was some damage to the buildings.#tornado #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/ccopb3k2st

— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) January 5, 2025