KZN heavy rain tests whether flood warnings reach vulnerable communities - IOL

KZN floods raise questions about warning systems and preparedness.

‘People do not understand the warnings.’

That warning from GroundWork representative Thalia Erwin has taken on new urgency after days of heavy rain battered parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

Erwin previously questioned whether residents understood South African Weather Service (SAWS) warning levels, asking: “What is a level 4 and what does that mean?”

She also warned that repeated alerts that do not lead to severe weather could cause warning fatigue, making communities less likely to respond when a dangerous system develops.

This week, SAWS issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rainfall along the KwaZulu-Natal coast and adjacent interior up to Richards Bay.

The warning included possible flooding of roads and formal and informal settlements, fast-flowing streams, dangerous deep water and the displacement of communities.

The warning was upgraded after forecasts indicated concentrated rainfall of between 50mm and 150mm in affected areas.

In eThekwini, the municipality activated emergency protocols and placed frontline services on high alert.

By Friday, localised mudslides in Tshelimnyama, near Pinetown, had caused about three houses to collapse, affecting 14 residents.

No deaths, injuries or entrapments were reported, according to the municipality.

Disaster Management teams were assessing the area and coordinating relief for affected families.

The municipality was also monitoring rising water levels in the Isipingo River and estuary. Teams opened the estuary mouth to help relieve water build-up and reduce the risk of flooding in surrounding communities.

For GroundWork’s David Hallowes, preparation cannot begin only once the rain arrives.

He said authorities needed to identify vulnerable communities before disaster struck, particularly people living in informal settlements close to rivers or on steep slopes.

Local government and relevant departments, he said, should map these areas, establish communication systems and have emergency response plans ready.

“The longer-term issue is about housing and planning and why they are living there in the first place.”

Erwin has also pointed to the potential of more targeted cellphone messaging, particularly for communities living in areas known to be at risk.

The latest rainfall has therefore raised a question that goes beyond this week’s forecast.

Did communities understand the warnings before the rain came?

And once the warnings were issued, did people know what action to take?

South African Weather Service senior weather forecaster Wisani Maluleke said KZN was expected to experience isolated rainfall over the coming days, with a good chance of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday due to a cut-off low and an approaching cold front.

He said SAWS was monitoring the system closely because the forecast could still change.

Maluleke said no flooding or extreme rainfall was expected in the low-lying areas, but communities near rivers and streams, as well as places with poor drainage, remained generally vulnerable if heavy rain occurred.

He said the expected cut-off low would be monitored closely because such systems could bring severe weather, including heavy rainfall, strong winds and cold conditions.

Residents were urged to follow SAWS weather warnings, stay informed and ensure that children, elderly people and people with disabilities were safe.

They should avoid crossing flooded roads, rivers and bridges.

Warning signs to take seriously include rising water levels, overflowing stormwater, flooded roads, persistent rainfall and official SAWS weather warnings, Maluleke said.