All schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and parts of the Sarah Baartman District have been closed today as authorities brace for heavy rainfall expected to cause widespread flooding.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 5 warning for disruptive rain, later escalated to Level 8, covering the period from today through tomorrow. Meteorologists forecast up to 200mm of rainfall, raising urgent concerns for communities in low-lying areas.
Shadrack Sibiya, Executive Director of Safety and Security for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, confirmed that a Joint Operations Centre was activated at 07:00 this morning. “We are on high alert,” Sibiya stated. “All staff and operational teams are on standby to respond to any eventualities. Our priority is to save lives.”
The school closures, communicated by the Department of Education, will be reviewed tomorrow depending on conditions. Officials noted the timing complicates matters for many learners currently in their examination period.
Municipal teams have been working to repair infrastructure damaged during severe flooding just one month ago, including stormwater drains, roads, and utility services. Sibiya acknowledged concerns that the new rainfall could undermine recent recovery efforts. “I would be lying if I said we are not concerned,” he admitted. “However, we are ready. While we continue repairs, we have armed all our officials in high-alert mode.”
Residents and motorists have been urged to exercise extreme caution. Sibiya specifically advised against driving on flooded roads or near low-lying bridges, noting that many potholes remain unrepaired. Communities in areas such as Mission Vale and KwaZakhele—severely affected in the May floods—are being closely monitored.
“We do not want to experience any loss of life like we did last time,” Sibiya emphasized. “We want to make sure we save lives, which is one of our priorities as the municipality.”
The municipality has coordinated closely with internal communications teams and media partners to disseminate timely updates. Authorities continue to monitor weather patterns and will provide further guidance on school reopenings and emergency measures as the situation develops.
