PIETERMARITZBURG – A severe cold front that swept across South Africa over the weekend continues to wreak havoc on Tuesday 11 August, with major routes closed and motorists urged to stay off the roads as snow and freezing conditions persist.
The South African Weather Service has issued an orange level six warning for disruptive snow in parts of the Eastern Cape, whilst yellow level two warnings remain in place for western KwaZulu-Natal, areas of the Free State along the Lesotho border, and other parts of the Eastern Cape.
Snowfall has been reported around Johannesburg this morning, adding to the widespread winter weather affecting multiple provinces across the country.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma called on motorists to exercise extra caution as roads remain wet and slippery, with snowfall in some parts of the province.
“Our energetic teams from the Road Traffic Inspectorate and operators of graders are already monitoring major routes and areas likely to experience another snowfall,” Duma said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
The province is experiencing cloudy and cold to very cold conditions, with scattered showers and rain, and snow over the western high ground, according to the weather service.
Duma reported that conditions are overcast from Cedara towards Midway along the N3, with drizzling from Harrismith towards Van Reenen, whilst snow is clearing in Memel. The N11 Amajuba Pass remains open in both directions.
However, the N3 between Estcourt and Harrismith, and at Midmar/Howick has been closed, with Van Reenen Pass described as extremely hazardous due to black ice. The R617 between Kokstad and Underberg, the R74 between Harrismith and Bergville at Oliviershoek Pass, and the R103 and Tugela Toll Plaza have also been shut.
In the Eastern Cape, several passes remain closed, including Barkly Pass between Elliot and Barkly East, Boesmanshoek Pass between Sterkstroom and Molteno, and the N9 Lootsberg Pass between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg. The R102 between Gqeberha and Jeffreys Bay has been closed due to rockfalls, whilst the R332 Baviaanskloof route is shut due to flooding.
Some routes have reopened after being cleared by graders, including Penhoek Pass on the N6 between Komani and Jamestown, and the R58 between Lady Grey and Barkly East.
The orange level six warning applies to the Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele local municipalities, as well as the Chris Hani District Municipality. Very cold and windy conditions with snow on high-lying and mountainous areas are affecting the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and parts of Gauteng.
Wind along the KwaZulu-Natal coast will be moderate to fresh southerly to south-easterly but strong in the north.
Government authorities have urged the public to avoid non-essential travel on closed or hazardous routes and to follow the instructions of traffic and emergency officials. Motorists are specifically warned not to attempt to bypass barriers on closed roads.
