The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has urged communities to be extra cautious and protect themselves, as topical storm Eloise is expected to reach parts of South Africa on Sunday.
She says the South African Weather Service has been tracking the cyclone and provided updates to stakeholders in government and civil society.
Eloise was located in the central part of the Mozambique Channel on Saturday,
Dlamini Zuma says the National Disaster Management Centre met on Saturday, and according to a briefing by the Weather Service, the storm is expected to cause significant rain, that may result in flash flooding and strong winds over parts of northeast Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
The National, Provincial and Municipal Disaster Management Centres in these areas are activating their disaster operations centres and will meet regularly with organs of state to coordinate preparations and response efforts where they become necessary.
Members of the public are urged in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain their social distancing and practice other preventative measures.
