Level 6 rain warning remains in place for eThekwini as flooding risk rises

Across eThekwini, emergency services remain on high alert as heavy rainfall continues to impact large areas of the metro. The city is under a Level 6 weather warning for disruptive rainfall, which is set to remain in effect for Thursday and Friday.

The eThekwini Municipality reported that the inclement weather has already led to road accidents and traffic disruptions, with emergency services responding to incidents throughout the city. This situation is expected to worsen later in the day.

In response to the worsening conditions, the municipality has activated all emergency protocols, anticipating incidents such as localized flooding. Heavy rainfall is forecasted to intensify overnight and continue into Friday morning, posing a heightened risk of flooding, infrastructure damage, road closures, service interruptions, and potential danger to life.

Low-lying and flood-prone areas are particularly vulnerable, as are unstable embankments. The municipality has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain and strongly advises against crossing flooded roads, bridges, rivers, or streams. Residents are also cautioned to stay clear of flood-prone areas and unstable embankments, keep drainage channels around homes and businesses clear, and monitor official weather updates and emergency alerts.

Authorities are urging people in vulnerable and disaster-prone communities to remain vigilant and relocate to safer locations if necessary. The municipality emphasizes the critical importance of public cooperation, warning that conditions could deteriorate rapidly, potentially affecting additional areas. The city has committed to monitoring the situation and providing updates through its official communication channels.