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Severe Weather Alert: Extreme Heat

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alert:

Hazard: Extreme Heat
Alert Level: Advisory
Valid From (SAST): 13/01/2020 – 08h00
Valid To (SAST): 14/01/2020 – 18h00

Expected over Prince Albert and Oudtshoorn municipalities (Western Cape) today (13/01/2020) and tomorrow (14/01/2020) including Redelinghuys municipality (Western Cape) tomorrow.

Description: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions

Whenever there are prolonged periods of little and no rain coupled with warm dry winds, veldt or bush fires can easily be sparked and will spread rapidly in strong winds.

Precautions: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions

Don’t make fires in the open and/or leave fires unattended. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars or in the open veldt. Don’t throw bottles in the veldt as they can magnify the sun’s rays and start fires. Prepare and maintain fire breaks in controlled manner. In the case of a large fire report it immediately and move away from the area to let the professionals deal with it. Never throw water onto a fire started by an electrical fault or fires started by oil or paraffin lamps. In this case, sand or a blanket should be used to smother the fire. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

Description: Heat wave conditions

A heat wave happens in a place when temperatures of at least 5 degrees higher than the average maximum temperature of the warmest month for that place occur for at least three consecutive days.

Precautions: Heat wave conditions

Stay indoors in a cool room near a fan if possible. The old and infirm must take extra care to stay hydrated and cool. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, playing excessive sport and hard labour. Dress in light weight clothes and drink plenty of liquids NOT alcohol.

Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

For more information or to report incidents, contact the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044-805 5071.