The Ministerial Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management to brief media on summer season forecast and disaster preparedness measures

The Ministerial Intergovernmental Committee on Disaster Management (ICDM) will, following its meeting held, 13 October 2021, brief the media on the Summer Seasonal Forecast issued recently by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), read with the Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) statement released by the secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The briefing will unpack the contents of the regional (SADC) and downscaled (South African) forecasts, as well as ongoing disaster mitigation and seasonal preparedness measures to protect lives, property, livelihoods, and other services.

The Ministers will further outline:

The seasonal profile and its implications for various sectors and parts of the country.

The impact of the seasonal profile on disaster risk and the readiness of disaster management functionaries to mitigate possible risks and respond to potential occurrences within the framework of the Disaster Management Act.

Preparedness levels from the water and sanitation sector and ongoing programmes for drought management and possible flooding occurrences.

How government coordinates with the farming community for support currently and during the season to mitigate likely impacts such as fires, drought and flooding.

Source: Government of South Africa