Fake weather reports hamper eThekwini's disaster management operations

The eThekwini Disaster Management Centre (DMC) is advising citizens against spreading disinformation about weather events, warning that it affects their operations.

The DMC said that while they expect increased reports during heavy downpours and other extreme weather systems, they've also been receiving some fake reports.

Jotham Khumalo, the strategic and evacuation manager in the Disaster Management Unit, explained the impact of these false alarms.

"When we get the fake news that there are incidents that are not necessarily true, we send our resources to go and verify that information," Khumalo said.

"Those resources could have been focused in an area where the resources are required."

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