Cape town: The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 8 warning for disruptive rainfall that may lead to flooding over the eastern parts of the Garden Route District Municipality in the Western Cape, as well as the South Coast of the Eastern Cape up to East London on Thursday. The severe weather is expected to affect roads and bridges, pose a danger to life from fast-moving streams and rivers, and result in the closure of major roads.

According to South African Government News Agency, a cut-off low (COL) pressure system has been affecting South Africa's southern provinces since Wednesday and is expected to continue into Thursday. "Very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected over the Eastern Cape, the central and eastern interior of the Western Cape, as well as the southern parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape," SAWS stated. Light snowfall is predicted over the mountain tops of the central and eastern Western Cape and the higher-lying areas of the southern Namakwa District.

SAWS has issued several warnings to alert residents and authorities. An Orange Level 5 warning indicates disruptive rainfall expected between East London and Morgan Bay, posing a danger to life, and potentially causing flooding, displacement, and mudslides. A Yellow Level 4 warning suggests disruptive rainfall over the eastern parts of the Western Cape, with a Yellow Level 2 warning for localised flooding over the Theewaterskloof and Langeberg local municipalities in the Western Cape.

Additionally, a Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive snowfall is in place over the northern high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape, while a Yellow Level 4 warning alerts to wind and wave conditions expected to impact navigation between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay. A Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging waves is also in effect between Plettenberg Bay and East London. Furthermore, a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms accompanies these conditions, with potential for localised flooding, hail, and excessive lightning.