Nelson mandela bay: The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has activated its Joint Operations Centre (JOC) and intensified disaster management and emergency response plans following the South African Weather Service (SAWS) decision to upgrade its warning for disruptive rainfall from Level 5 to Level 8.
According to South African Government News Agency, the warning was upgraded due to increased rainfall projections, already saturated ground conditions following recent rainfall, and the significant damage caused by previous weather systems. Forecasts indicated rainfall accumulations of up to 100mm on Wednesday, with a further 50mm to 100mm expected today. Rainfall probabilities remain exceptionally high, with an 80% chance of rain today.
The municipality's Disaster Management Centre, emergency services, engineering teams, and critical infrastructure departments have been placed on high alert and are coordinating preparedness measures across the metro. The expected impacts include widespread flooding of formal and informal settlements, flooding of roads, bridges, and low-lying areas, significant disruptions to transport routes, dangerous driving conditions caused by reduced visibility and slippery roads, potential mudslides and rockfalls, damage to public and private infrastructure, and communities becoming isolated due to flooding and road closures.
Residents living in flood-prone areas have been urged to prepare for possible evacuations, should conditions deteriorate. The municipality is also monitoring a Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging waves, with wave heights of between four and five metres forecast along the Nelson Mandela Bay coastline. Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution around beaches, coastal walkways, and low-lying coastal areas, particularly during high tide periods.
High tides are expected at approximately 5am and 6pm today. The municipality has also strongly advised residents to postpone non-essential travel during the warning period, avoid crossing flooded roads, rivers, and streams, secure valuable belongings, and remain informed through official communication channels.
Emergency services remain on standby, and residents are encouraged to immediately report emergencies and weather-related incidents through the municipality's emergency response channels. The safety of residents remains the municipality's highest priority, and all communities are urged to take this warning seriously.