By Bisola Adeyemo
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has predicted rainy and cold conditions, associated with localised flooding, and warned the general public to avoid going close to rivers.
SAWS said in a statement on Thursday that the localised flooding will affect some parts of the country this weekend.
“The SAWS strongly urges the public to avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams, especially in cases where the water is more than ankle-deep. SAWS also recommended moving to higher ground if rising floodwaters threaten one’s safety.” The statement read.
The weather service also said the localized flooding is likely to affect the agricultural sector, infrastructure, and settlements over the North-West, the northern parts of the Free State, and Gauteng on Friday.
It will also include the eastern parts of the Northern Cape, the northern and eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, the western parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Mpumalanga Highveld on Saturday.
“Localised disruptions to beachfront activities as well as incidents of damage to coastal infrastructure may also occur along the coastal region between Port Alfred and Sodwana Bay,” SAWS said.
Rainy and cold conditions are expected throughout the weekend over the central and south-eastern parts of the country.
The provinces expected to be particularly affected include the eastern parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape, Free State, North-West, Gauteng as well as KwaZulu-Natal and the Highveld region of Mpumalanga.
“A general clearing of rainy conditions can be expected on Sunday over the Northern Cape, the western parts of both the North-West and Free State, as well as the north-western parts of the Eastern Cape.
“Notwithstanding the abovementioned clearing trend from the west, occurrences of localised flooding are expected to persist on Sunday over the eastern parts of North-West, Free State and the Eastern Cape.
“This wet spell will be accompanied by cold to very cold conditions over the southern and south-eastern interior of the country on Friday, spreading to the central and eastern interior by Saturday,” said the weather service.
Moreover, light snowfalls can be expected over the eastern and southern parts of Lesotho and the surrounding Drakensberg mountains on Saturday evening as well as overnight Sunday night.