SAWS: Tropical Cyclone Belna will not directly impact South Africa

Tropical Cyclone Belna — a fierce storm currently bearing down on Madagascar — will not affect South Africa, the SA Weather Service (SAWS) said on Sunday.

In an update posted to Twitter, SAWS explained that the Indian Ocean storm will have no “direct impact” on the country.

Tropical Cyclone Belna moving to the north-western coast of Madagascar tomorrow. No direct impact to South Africa. A stormy and rainy Sunday afternoon/evening expected in North West, Gauteng, KZN, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, parts of Limpopo, eastern NC and parts of FS. Stay safe pic.twitter.com/BaWU9rUyNX

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) December 8, 2019

Tropical Cyclone Belna is currently north-west of the island packing maximum gusts of around 195km/h, according to Meteo France.

Based on its predicted track, it should make landfall on Madagascar’s north-western coastline on Monday.

Belna is the first storm that has ventured this close to the Mozambique Channel in the 2019/20 south-western Indian Ocean cyclone season. But we should hope it will be the last.

The 2018/19 cyclone season was devastating, with Tropical Cyclone Idai and Tropical Cyclone Kenneth causing structural damage, flooding and loss of life in Madagascar, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Flash floods hit parts of the North West, Gauteng

Meanwhile, in weather unrelated to Belna, some parts of the North West and Gauteng were on Sunday hit by flash floods.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) at the weekend issued a number of alerts for northern areas of South Africa warning of “persistent rainfall” that can lead to flooding.

It seems that this forecast was spot on for Potchefstroom and Pretoria.

Groenkloof Reserve in Pretoria area. Please stay safe. Do Not cross flooded roads. https://t.co/jV0cJupUhA

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) December 8, 2019

Some flooding observed in Capital Park and Centurion in Pretoria today (Sunday 08 December 2019). Warning for flooding is in effect for Gauteng for this evening/overnight. Do NOT cross flooded roads and stay safe. pic.twitter.com/79kRrIzlH9

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) December 8, 2019

We have recieved some flooding reports from the Potch area in North West. Please be aware of the flood warnings posted on our timeline. Stay safe. https://t.co/bAJwYcxuAR

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) December 8, 2019

SAWS had issued a number of warnings for Monday too, including flood watches for Gauteng, portions of Mpumalanga, the North West and Limpopo.

What floods? #JHBWeather trends

Meanwhile, despite the flood warnings and actual floods in places, Johannesburg residents are quite enjoying the wet weather.

This is the weather we prayed for, No wind, No lightning…. Just beautiful ❤ ❤ #JHBWeather pic.twitter.com/FxEvwMe8EE

— 💕Mpho 😇 (@mpho_devine) December 8, 2019

I don't mind this weather. We need rain. It must take the whole month #JHBWeather

— Thuls (@MmathuleB) December 8, 2019

#JHBWeather
Yassss wena rain, may you pour for the next 3 weeks pic.twitter.com/xZffjWIkAS

— Bulelani kambula (@Kaybee_KC) December 8, 2019

Follow the South African Weather Service

Weather is fickle and subject to change, so we’d recommend following SAWS on its official Twitter account.

And be sure to bookmark its warnings portal too, where it regularly updates the advisories and more serious information on the daily.

Feature image: Andy Walker/Memeburn