WARNING: Scorching weather conditions to hit KZN

The South African Weather Service says the province will be hit by severe thunderstorms, and uncomfortably hot weather. 

The maximum temperature for Eshowe on Friday is 40 degrees Celsius, while the temperature in Ulundi and uPhongolo is expected to rocket to 42 degrees Celsius. 

For the rest of the towns and cities in the province, highs ranging from the low to late thirties have been forecast. (See full list of expected temperature below.) 

KZN Emergency Medical Services spokesperson, Robert McKenzie says dehydration and heat stroke cases have been on the rise as the days get warmer.  

"In a hot summer month this is a very common occurrence for us at EMS, we respond to multiple cases each day for people that have dehydration or even heat strokes. It is an emergency that we respond to quite often." 

"As we come into summer, we are experiencing hotter temperatures. These high temperatures can result in some emergencies. The most common emergency we respond to is people who are dehydrated - that's people who haven't had enough intake of fluids, and as a result they are short of fluids and we have to put up a drip for them. Sometimes we have to give them sugar to get them back on track and re-hydrated again," he said.  

He says in these sort of extreme conditions, the elderly and the young are more at risk. 

"The best way to avoid this is to drink enough water; the average person needs to drink at least two litres of water a day, to stay well hydrated. Also remember that the elderly, young children, as well as people who are very sick are particularly at risk when it is hot. When children are at school, they sweating a lot and they are losing a lot of water, so please remember to pack some water for them so they can stay hydrated." 

McKenzie has given some advice and urges the public to also be on the lookout for anyone who might be feeling dehydrated as well.  

"Wear light coloured, lightweight clothes to reduce the amount of sweating that you'll do; it will reduce the amount of heat that the clothes will absorb." 

"If somebody is not feeling well as a result of the heat, they might be feeling dizzy, they could be feeling nauseous - they normally will be feeling quite thirsty as well. If you come across somebody like this, remove them from the hot area into a cool area, offer them something to drink if possible, and if they don't want to drink or if they are confused and not being able to cooperate with you - then you need to call emergency services to re-hydrate them," he said.  

Maximum KZN temperatures for Friday: 

Durban - 33

Ulundi - 42

Richards Bay, Vryheid, Mtubatuba, Escourt and Greytown - 39

Pietermaritzburg, Ixopo, Newcastle and Ladysmith - 38

Mooi River - 35

Kokstad - 34

Underberg - 33

Giants Castle - 31

Margate - 30