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off low - responsible inter alia for the laingsburg floods of 1981); and forecasting of the
movement, duration and intensity of the severe weather system. These forecasts are
specifically prepared to warn the civil protection authorities that a given system is
imminent, thereby providing information on the type and extent of damage which can be
expected. Regular updated warnings are issued for the civil protection authorities and the
public.
The Weather Bureau recently introduced a coding system for severe weather conditions.
A "green day" indicates that no severe system (based on forecasting data as well as
models), is anticipated during the next 24 hours. There is however, a possibility of severe
conditions developing on a "yellow day". An orange warning is issued once a severe
weather system has been identified, and is being watched. A red warning implies that the
system will take effect within 2 - 3 hours. Depending on the speed with which the system
develops, it is possible (in extreme situations) to change status from a yellow day to a red
warning, within a short period of time.
10.20.2 The flood relief scheme for flood disaster areas
Severe flood damage is an infrequent, although recurring event in South Africa. With the
exception of the January 1981 laingsburg floods which were locality-specific, the first
major widespread flooding resulting in serious damage and the loss of life (in very recent
times), occurred in September 1987 in Natal/KwaZulu. A flood relief scheme was drawn
up in response to the latter floods. It is instructive to briefly examine the scheme as a
benchmark case study. (The scheme was used in !Q!Q for example, with regard to the
October 1991 floods in the Calvinia Magisterial District)·. The flood relief scheme was
established by Government Regulation Notice GN R47/88 (in terms of Section 8 read with
Section 9 of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act No. 43 of 1983)··,
Whereby white-owned agricultural land in Natal per se, was declared a flood disaster area.
Flood damage was defined as damage to the natural agricultural resources as well as soil
conservation works. The objective ofthe flood relief scheme was to repair flood damage
using subsidies approved by Parliament. The scheme was not intended to recreate (at all
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See Government Regulation Notice GN R2771192. published in the Republic of South Africa
Government Gazette No. 14304 of the 2nd October 1992.
See Anonymous. 1988. Republic of South Africa Government Gazette No. 11097 of the 15th
January 1988. Government Printer. Pretoria. 28 p.