KwaZulu-Natal residents can breathe a sigh of relief as rainy weather conditions are expected to subside from Tuesday.
The South African Weather Service says the northeastern parts of the province can expect partly cloudy conditions with a 30% chance of showers.
Temperatures for the rest of the province are expected to remain cool for the rest of the week.
Forecaster Ayanda Nsele says: “Well today we are expecting a 30% chance of showers over the extreme northeastern parts of KZN. Otherwise, it will be mainly partly cloudy and cool to cold over the western parts. It will be partly cloudy until Thursday with mainly cool and warm temperatures. They are no alerts or heavy rains that are expected for this week, just normal general rain that is expected over the weekend.”
SA Weather | Tuesday, 19 April 2022:
Backed up traffic
Traffic in and around Durban is backed up on and around several main highways.
Last week’s floods caused severe damage to several main and arterial roads and highways throughout the province.
Mudslides, debris and washed away bridges are causing congestion on alternate routes and through the toll gates.
Police are urging motorists to be cautious and patient.
Metro police spokesperson Parbhoo Sewpersadh says: “We have taken note of various roads which have been opened, however, there has been congestion on sections of the road. Some motorists are not complying with the police officers’ instructions. They are making u-turns and driving contraflow to the traffic. Please refrain from doing this, you are just adding to the congestion and adding to the bottleneck. Roads are starting to open at various locations. Motorists need to be vigilant and listen to traffic reports and obey police officers’ instructions at all times.”
Red Cross providing aid worth R6-million
The Red Cross in KwaZulu-Natal says it is providing meals, mattresses and blankets to 2 600 people in community halls in seven of the province’s districts after they were left homeless by last week’s floods.
The Red Cross has secured R6-million for this purpose.
The organisation is among ten foundations and organisations that attended a function in KwaDukuza to pledge their support to flood victims in the Ilembe District. At least 30 people have died there.
Red Cross Manager Siyabonga Hlatswayo says government, civil society and the private sector should combine forces to build communities and infrastructure that are resilient to climate change by 2030.
“In the post-2030, we at least have better infrastructures that are resilient to the current weather changes. We are observing and also global warming as well because it seems to be challenging us a lot. So, it says to us we should change the way we are approaching things, we need to change the way we are doing things.”
Meanwhile, experts say the current weather patterns being experienced in the province can be attributed to climate change.
Director of the Centre for Water Resources Research at University of KwaZulu-Natal Professor Jeff Smithers talks about climate change and floods:
-Additional reporting by Dries Liebenberg
