Question NW4101 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
11 December 2023 - NW4101
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What preparations has her department put in place across the country in light of the severe weather warnings of tornados and thunderstorms predicted for the upcoming summer months?
Reply:
The NDMC in collaboration with the SA Weather Service prepares a summer seasonal weather outlook that provides a future prediction of possible severe weather conditions, this encompasses a hazard prediction for flooding, areas of above average temperature, windstorms, drought, and fire. These hazard outlooks are in recognition of the predicted weather conditions for the summer period.
The NDMC uses this forecast to prepare summer contingency plans per province so that short term planning can take place for the season ahead. These are prepared in advance of the season and tabled in the quarterly National Disaster Management Advisory Forum (NDMAF) meetings with provinces. Provinces are also able to report in these NDMAF meetings on areas in which they will require intervention from the NDMC. Provinces also work together in the summer rainfall areas to dela with cross border hazard conditions such as fire, flooding, and drought mitigation.
The NDMAF also features a segment in which Early Warning matters are tabled. Within this discussion, the South African Weather Service presents the seasonal outlook for the South West Indian Ocean, prepared by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) designated Regional Specialised Met Centre (RSMC) based in La Reunion Island (France). RSMC La Reunion have the responsibility for monitoring and tracking tropical cyclones in the SW Indian Ocean basin and are the de facto tropical cyclone monitoring agency in the region. The outlook for the 2023-2024 summer season is for a below-normal risk of tropical cyclones in the SW Indian Ocean. Utilising daily guidance from RSMC La Reunion the NDMC, together with the SA Weather Service can track Tropical Cyclone in the Indian ocean channel 3-5 Days in advance on it making landfall.
The NDMC early Warnings Directorate has a technology application that tracks the path, frequency, and possible impact of Tropical Cyclones. In this way, the NDMC can ensure that it monitors and reports on the possible impact and track of all tropical cyclones approaching South Africa via the Indian Ocean.
End.