Severe weather expected across parts of the Western and Southern Cape on Tuesday.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Media
The South African Weather Service has warned of severe weather conditions across parts of the Western Cape and southern interior on Tuesday as a powerful cold front moves across the region, bringing heavy rain, damaging winds and rough coastal conditions.
An Orange Level 8 warning for disruptive rain has been issued for parts of the southwestern Western Cape, where widespread flooding of roads, bridges, formal and informal settlements, mudslides and fast-flowing rivers could pose a danger to life.
Adjacent areas remain under an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rain, with flooding of roads and low-lying bridges expected.
Along the coast, an Orange Level 6 warning for wind and waves has been issued, with dangerous sea conditions and possible damage to coastal infrastructure expected. A Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging waves remains in place along sections of the southern coastline.
Strong to damaging winds are also forecast across large parts of the Western Cape, extending into the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape interior and southern Free State.
An Orange Level 5 warning for damaging winds has been issued over parts of the Western Cape where falling trees, power interruptions and damage to formal and informal settlements are possible.
A Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds is in effect over a broader area, with localised impacts expected.
Rainfall chances will be highest over the southwestern parts of the country, with an 80% chance of widespread rain expected over the western and southwestern Western Cape.
A 60% chance of scattered showers and rain is forecast along parts of the southern Cape coast, while a 30% chance of isolated showers extends across the central and southern interior into parts of the Eastern Cape. The rest of the country is expected to remain mostly dry.
Residents in affected areas are urged to remain alert, avoid flooded roads and fast-flowing streams, and exercise caution along the coast and on mountain passes as conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout Tuesday.
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