Firefighters working to put out a veld fire Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging interior winds, which are anticipated to impact transportation routes due to wind or falling trees.
The KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has issued a fire danger warning for parts of the province until Sunday night.
Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has placed disaster management teams on high alert following a Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging interior winds, which are anticipated to impact transportation routes due to wind or falling trees.
High-sided vehicles travelling on exposed high-level roads or bridges may encounter localised difficulties as a result of crosswinds. Additionally, there is a risk of localised runaway fires and damage to both formal and informal settlements across most parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Sunday.
“The warning, valid from Sunday, 04 August 09:00 until Sunday, 04 August 22:00, forecasts extremely high fire danger conditions over most parts of the province,” said department spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila.
Abaqulusi, Alfred Duma - Indaka, Alfred Duma - Ladysmith, Big Five Hlabisa - Hlabisa, Big Five Hlabisa - Hluhluwe, Dannhauser, Dr N. Dlamini-Zuma - Underberg, eDumbe, eMadlangeni, Endumeni, Ethekwini, Greater Kokstad, Impendle, Ingwe, Inkosi Langalibalele - Estcourt, Inkosi Langalibalele - Sobabili, Jozini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mpofana - Giants Castle, Mpofana - Mooi River, Msinga, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatuba, Ndwedwe and Newcastle.
Mzila said the potential impacts include reduced visibility, damage to property and vegetation, air and water pollution, potential loss of human and/or animal life.
“Already last month, KwaZulu-Natal lost 15 lives due to wildfires that ravaged large parts of the province,” he said.
MEC Buthelezi urged all residents to exercise extreme caution and adhere to safety instructions to prevent potential disasters:
“The department remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all communities in KwaZulu-Natal,” added Mzila.
Saws also advised that coastal winds may cause localised disruption to small harbours and ports for a brief period. Small vessels are at risk of taking on water and capsizing in certain areas, and navigation along the KZN coast may be challenging, particularly on Sunday and Monday during the early morning hours.
Saws added that the damaging waves may result in disruption of beachfront activities.
“Small vessels are at risk of taking on water and capsizing in a locality is expected between Port Edward and Richards Bay tomorrow [Monday].”
ALS Paramedics encouraged people to exercise caution.
“With the temperature reaching up to 35° today, with the same humidity, please ensure to stay hydrated. Please also remember the elderly and the young and off course also your animals. Please ensure they have enough water, etc to stay hydrated,” said ALS spokesperson Garrith Jamieson.
ALS was already seeing excessive winds in and around Durban, Jamieson said.
“Please be aware of debris on the roadway and branches falling off trees. These winds could also cause large wave swells and bathers need to please exercise extreme caution,” he said.
The Mercury
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