Overview
- The South African Weather Service upgraded part of the Northern Cape to an Orange Level 5 severe‑thunderstorm warning for Dikgatlong, Kgatelopele, Siyancuma, Siyathemba and Thembelihle, valid until 23:59 on Friday.
- Multiple Yellow Level 4 warnings remain in force across the Western and Northern Cape and along the coast between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay for damaging winds, disruptive rainfall and dangerous seas.
- SAWS forecasts heavy rain (30–50mm in the Orange area, 10–30mm broadly), sustained winds of 50–80 km/h with gusts commonly 70–100+ km/h, plus hail and excessive lightning that could flood roads and damage buildings.
- Provincial and municipal disaster teams have urged people to avoid low‑lying and coastal areas, secure loose objects, not drive through floodwater, shelter livestock, and have emergency crews on standby.
- The warnings follow earlier extremely high fire‑danger advisories and come as the cut‑off low moves inland, so communities should expect continuing severe weather risks and possible downstream disruption as the system pushes east.