Violent storms expected in South Africa due to climate change

Cape Town — South Africa should brace for more thunderstorms due to rising temperatures, following the tragic storms that hit the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN).

According to leading water analyst, Anthony Turton, South Africa can expect more thunderstorms as government has not done enough to safeguard the environment, which will lead to rising temperatures and more inclement weather. He also labelled the Eastern Cape and KZN storms as “quite severe”, The Citizen reported.

“In terms of the trend in SA, we see more inclement weather of greater intensity, with KZN becoming more than a perpetual disaster zone. KZN has not even fully recovered from the 2020 flooding disaster and is now hit by another crisis.” he said.

He said there has been a shit in the seasonality of rainfall in South Africa, with areas generally hit by winter rain, being hit hard. He said there has been a change in rainfall pattern and temperature increases that lead to violent thunderstorms.

What in the climate change is happening in South Africa?
•Tornado in KwaZulu-Natal
•Floods and storms in Eastern Cape
•Snow in Northern Cape, Free State and Eastern Cape.
Some communities have been hard hit. Help where you can.

— Taryn Isaacs De Vega (@taryndevega) June 5, 2024

Turton said South Africa’s biggest challenge now is “the collapse of the aquatic ecosystems”.

“This is due to the seven billion litres of sewage that we put into our rivers and oceans every single day, with 80% going untreated. World Environment Day is also about aquatic ecosystems,” said Turton.

Turton said the National Water Act has failed as it has not improved the quality of water in South Africa’s rivers. The Act was meant to improve water quality acorss the country. He said not enough has been done for the country’s aquatic ecosystem as all rivers in the country are contaminated.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa, who visited families in Kariega that were hit badly by the floods, said the government would help to tighten it’s response to natural disasters, and said the problem is down to climate change, EWN reported.

“The problem with it all is climate change. The climate change that we experienced in South Africa is such that even in the winter, we have heavy rains. The rain causes a lot of disaster and damage, and that’s why we are here, that’s why we are where we are.” he said.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

Article written by Matthew Petersen

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