By Rorisang Modiba
- Limpopo recorded very heavy rain, with some areas receiving more than 160 millimetres in one day.
- Weather warnings remain as more rain is still possible, despite conditions starting to ease.
Heavy rainfall in parts of Limpopo is expected to ease later this week after severe flooding caused damage to homes, schools and infrastructure.
The South African Weather Service says very high rainfall was recorded over the past 24 hours. Tshivase received 160 millimetres of rain, Tshanowa Primary School recorded 161 millimetres and Tshakuma received 114 millimetres.
In comparison, Gauteng recorded much lower rainfall. Bronkhorstspruit received 25 millimetres during the same period.
Although conditions are expected to improve, weather warnings are still in place.
SAWS data shows rainfall has increased sharply compared with last year. Johannesburg recorded about 109% more rain, Skukuza in Mpumalanga recorded 139% more, and Haenertsburg in Limpopo recorded a 289% increase.
SAWS forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela says warnings for disruptive rain remain for parts of northern Limpopo and the Mpumalanga lowveld. Severe thunderstorms are still possible in western Limpopo.
Gauteng is expected to have partly cloudy and cool weather in central areas. Warmer conditions with scattered showers are expected in the north.
Vox Weather meteorologist Michelle du Plessis says rain is likely to continue along the Limpopo escarpment this week. She says the exact amounts are still uncertain.
She says the ECMWF model suggests a quieter week than last week. Rainfall of about 20 to 50 millimetres is expected in many escarpment areas.
However, the model still shows a risk of more heavy rain. Some areas of Limpopo, where a state of disaster has been declared, could receive around 100 millimetres.
Du Plessis says up to 50 millimetres of rain is possible over the bushveld. Central South Africa is expected to see weaker weather activity with isolated thunderstorms.
Weather commentator Juandre Vorster, known as The Weather Hooligan, says Limpopo should start drying out over the next three days as weather systems move away.
Thunderstorms are forecast for the interior later this week. Gauteng faces a 20% to 30% chance of storms.
Pictured above: Flooded areas after heavy rain in Limpopo.
Image source: @SANParksKNP
