Authorities in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) have urged motorists to delay their trips where possible.
This is despite the implementation of the Snowfall Response Plan, in that province, which enabled certain roads to be closed and others declared drivable.
Siboniso Duma, MEC of Transport in KZN, said “we dont want to see the repeat of what we witnessed in September 2024. Many people were stuck along major routes.”
Duma announced on Monday afternoon that the R617 Swartberg to Evatt (Kingscot), is no yet safe to be declared clear.
The movement of trucks is now prohibited along the N3, to avoid congestion.
Several roads are closed including the R617, between Kokstad and Underberg, the Van Reenen Pass, the N3 – between Estcourt and Harrismith, the R74 Oliviershoek Pass – between Harrismith and Bergville, the R74 Greytown/Colenso Road as well as the R103 and Tugela Toll Plaza.
Snow chasers are also prohibited.
The Midlands Emergency Services (EMS) Howick crews were dispatched to the Impendle area after receiving a call regarding a patient who had sustained serious leg injuries following a fall in the snow.
The patient was transported to a Level 1 trauma hospital for further assessment, treatment and management of their injuries.
Similarly, the Department of Transport in the Eastern Cape, deployed a Grader to the Penhoek Pass.
This made some routes drivable, including the N6 route between Aliwal North, James Calata (Jamestown) and Kimber Bridge.
The Kimber Bridge to Penhoek pass is also now open to traffic, but the road surface is still wet with strong winds.
The Department urged motorists to drive slowly and with caution.
Some closed routes include the R58 route between Lady Grey and Ekhephini (Barkly East), Lady Grey to Dodrecht and Dodrecht to Ekhephini (Barkly East) direction.
Weather conditions disrupted electricity supply in parts of Joe Gqabi and Alfred Nzo districts in the Eastern Cape.
Eskom’s Daphne Mokwena, said “communities are urged to remain patient with electricity supply restoration as our technicians are facing challenges due to adverse weather conditions. For the safety of Eskom personnel, technicians may be unable to access certain areas or safely carry out repairs while weather conditions remain hazardous. This may result in longer than normal restoration times in the affected areas.”
Disruptive Snow (at Level 6) is expected to continue into Tuesday, over Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele Local Municipalities of the Eastern Cape.
Lesser amounts of snow (at Yellow Level 2) are expected to persist over Dr Beyers Naude,Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi, Intsika Yethu, Dr AB Xuma, Mhlontlo, Mzimvubu Local Municipalities, and Chris Hani Distyrict Municipality of the Eastern Cape, east and south of the Free State along the Lesotho border and the western parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
The South African Weather Service also warned against disruptive rain over Mpumalanga, except the extreme western parts.
Picture: Middelburg Tourism