North west: The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), in coordination with district and local municipalities, emergency services, and other relevant stakeholders, has activated monitoring and preparedness measures as the province braces for severe weather conditions. This action comes in response to a warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) that severe thunderstorms are expected to develop over parts of the Free State, North West, and Gauteng from Friday afternoon into Saturday evening.
According to South African Government News Agency, the anticipated storms could bring heavy rainfall, strong and potentially damaging winds, excessive lightning, and hail. These conditions may lead to localized flooding in vulnerable areas and a significant drop in temperatures. Tebogo Gaolaolwe, the head of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, stated that the province is on high alert and is closely monitoring the developing weather system, which is expected to affect several parts of the country over the weekend.
Gaolaolwe has urged communities, motorists, farmers, and all residents of the North West to remain vigilant and pay attention to official weather updates as the system evolves. "Caution is advised in low-lying and flood-prone areas, near rivers and streams, and when traveling during periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The PDMC will continue to monitor developments in collaboration with municipal disaster management teams and will activate appropriate response mechanisms should the situation warrant intervention," Gaolaolwe said.
The weather service also cautioned that the risk of severe thunderstorms is expected to shift further eastwards, impacting parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from Sunday morning, with the possibility of extending into the southern parts of Limpopo.