{"id":35220,"date":"2025-12-01T16:48:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/?p=35220"},"modified":"2025-12-01T16:48:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:48:38","slug":"saws-calls-on-residents-to-take-severe-weather-alerts-seriously","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/2025\/12\/01\/saws-calls-on-residents-to-take-severe-weather-alerts-seriously\/","title":{"rendered":"SAWS calls on residents to take severe weather alerts seriously"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Photo credit: AFP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is urging residents and motorists to take its weather warnings seriously.<\/p>\n

The organisation says these alerts play a crucial role in reducing the risk of injury, loss of life and property damage.<\/p>\n

This comes as SAWS warns of possible large hail and heavy downpours, which have already left a trail of destruction across parts of Gauteng, particularly in Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.<\/p>\n

The severe weather has caused significant structural damage and heavy traffic delays due to fallen trees and reduced visibility on the roads.<\/p>\n

Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela says Sunday’s events are a clear reminder of how quickly conditions can deteriorate once thunderstorms intensify.<\/p>\n

“Residents are encouraged to monitor updates from official sources, seek shelter when thunderstorms approach, move vehicles under cover where possible, avoid driving through flooded roads, and report fallen trees, flooding or damage to municipal authorities,”\u00a0 Thobela said.<\/p>\n

He added that seasonal forecasts point to a possible increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather across the country.<\/p>\n