Following earlier severe storm warnings across eastern provinces, the South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 alert for disruptive rainfall in extreme northern KwaZulu-Natal until Sunday, with flooding already damaging over 160 homes in areas like Jozini and prompting Red Cross relief efforts.
Building on severe thunderstorm warnings issued a week ago for eastern provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, residents in the province's extreme northern areas face ongoing risks from heavy rains. The South African Weather Service's Yellow Level 2 warning, announced on January 17, 2026, targets Umkhanyakude and Zululand districts and remains in effect through Sunday.
Forecaster Wiseman Dlamini noted, “There is a warning that has been sent out as early as yesterday. It is valid for today and tomorrow morning. So, that rain is going to be very disruptive in those areas over the northern parts. This is mostly over Umkhanyakude District as well as Zululand District.”
Communities in Umhlabuyalingana, Nongoma, and Jozini are already experiencing flooding that threatens homes, roads, and bridges. The Red Cross Society, working with disaster management, has assessed 160 damaged houses in Jozini, where 78 were completely destroyed. Provincial Manager Siyabonga Hlatshwayo said, “We are conducting assessment. This is after many communities in the Jozini area experienced heavy rains that caused flooding and damages to many communities and houses. Currently, we managed to access 160 houses and out of these 160 houses 78 of them are totally damaged. We are bringing in relief to families who are affected. We are also appealing to the public to come forth to assist and support the families that have been affected. We are continuing with our assessments and distribution of relief but also there are communities that we cannot access due to the damage flooded roads.”
These challenges emphasize the difficulties of aid delivery in inaccessible areas and the importance of community support amid persistent wet weather.
