KZN COGTA activates disaster centre amid yellow level 4 warning

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has activated its disaster joint operations centre following a yellow level 4 weather warning issued by the South African Weather Service. The warning predicts heavy rains on Thursday and Friday that could lead to flooding in the south of the province and the Midlands.

COGTA spokesperson Sboniso Mngadi reports that no serious incidents have been reported so far, but the department is urging the community to exercise extreme caution as the heavy rains are expected to continue through Thursday and into Friday. MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has activated disaster management teams in all municipalities, especially in coastal areas where the rains could cause significant damage. The department is emphasizing the need for weather awareness among residents.