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SAWS Warns of High-Impact Storms as Cut-Off Low Sweeps Across South Africa

A slow-moving cut-off low raises flood risk across multiple provinces, with the Eastern Cape under an Orange Level 5 alert.

Overview

  • An Orange Level 5 warning remains in effect for parts of the Eastern Cape for 22–23 February, with SAWS cautioning of danger to life from fast‑flowing water.
  • Yellow Level 2 alerts cover wide areas including the Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Western and Eastern Cape, with threats of heavy downpours, hail, damaging winds and excessive lightning.
  • Monday’s forecast flags flooding risks in the eastern Northern Cape, northern Eastern Cape and the extreme western Free State, while SAWS also notes a Yellow Level 4 for severe storms over the western Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Authorities warn of potential damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, vehicles and livestock, along with short-term disruptions to power, education, health and communications services.
  • Localised impacts have already been reported in Inanda north of Durban, where heavy rain flooded homes and displaced families.