By Ebi Kesiena
The South African government has issued a nationwide warning ahead of a powerful winter storm expected to sweep across the country, urging citizens to prepare for potentially dangerous weather conditions that could disrupt daily life and pose serious threats to vulnerable communities.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a cut-off low-pressure system will affect all provinces except Limpopo, bringing a combination of widespread snowfall, torrential rain, gale-force winds, and plummeting temperatures.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, highlighted the serious risks, especially for rural and mountainous regions. “I urge all South Africans to stay informed, heed official warnings, and take necessary precautions to safeguard lives and property,” he said.
Snowfall is likely to disrupt major transportation routes, while the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are particularly at risk of flooding from intense rainfall starting from Sunday.
Coastal regions are also expected to experience strong winds and dangerous sea conditions through Tuesday.
Further inland, severe thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by hail and damaging winds, are forecast for Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal early in the week. Daytime temperatures across many parts of the country are expected to dip below 10°C, marking a significant cold snap.
In light of the forecast, authorities are urging residents to avoid non-essential travel during the storm, monitor weather updates, prepare emergency supplies and assist vulnerable community members, steer clear of flooded roads, rivers, and low-lying bridges.
The government emphasised that coordinated disaster response teams are on standby, and local municipalities have been directed to activate emergency plans to minimise the storm’s impact.
