Social media was abuzz about earth tremors and convergence (the formation of mountain ridges), that would first cause a quake, as continents rub against each other.
Authorities were not confirming this.
So there is a sigh of relief, as authorities and stakeholders will review current Early Warning Systems, in a 3-day workshop starting on Monday, in Pretoria.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS), is the main organizer of the workshop.
The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Bernice Swarts, is expected to address the opening of the National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All (EW4All) in Pretoria.
According to the UN, Early Warning Systems have helped decrease the number of deaths and reduced losses and damages resulting from hazardous weather, water or climate events. However, major gaps still exist, especially in small island developing states and least developed countries.
In addition to the review, Peter Mbelengwa, Spokesperson of the Department of Forestry and Fisheries, said in a write-up, the workshop will also explore linkages and alignment among ongoing and upcoming initiatives and the consolidation of key stakeholder commitments to strengthen early warning services.
“This initiative rests on following four key pillars: Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management, Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis and Forecasting; Warning Dissemination and Communication as well as Preparedness and Response Capabilities.”
South Africa continues to rank among the Southern African countries that are vulnerable to hazardous weather events including severe floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, storms, and heat waves.
Participants are expected to include representatives of the National Disaster Management Centre; the Departments of Water and Sanitation, Communication and Digital Technologies; the Council for Geoscience; the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa; and provincial, district and local government representatives, UN and international organisations active in Early Warning Systems; civil society organizations, including Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) active in early warning services, climate and disaster risk information; and the private sector, including the mobile network operators and the insurance industry.