Kwazulu-natal: Disaster management teams in KwaZulu-Natal are on high alert following weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The province is facing a dual threat with a Level 5 Severe Thunderstorm Warning for its western and southern regions and a Level 2 Warning for the rest of the province, as stated by the provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

According to South African Government News Agency, the SAWS has issued an Orange Level 5 warning for KwaZulu-Natal, forecasting scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers across most parts of the province on Sunday, 08 February 2026. The weather service anticipates that some thunderstorms may become severe in the western and southern parts, potentially bringing heavy downpours.

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in KwaZulu-Natal, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has instructed emergency response units to prioritize and monitor specific districts where heavy downpours exceeding 50mm, hail, and damaging winds are expected. The districts include uMgungundlovu, uThukela, Amajuba, uMzinyathi, Harry Gwala, and Ugu.

Additionally, a Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms is in place for the rest of KwaZulu-Natal, including the eThekwini Metro, iLembe, King Cetshwayo, and Zululand districts. While the impact in these areas is expected to be less severe than in Level 5 regions, the risk of localized flooding and lightning strikes remains significant.