Snow falls in Drakensberg of KwaZulu-Natal; authorities prepare for weather conditions

Rain continues to fall in the KwaZulu-Natal province, while the Anderberg area experiences rainy and foggy conditions. KwaZulu-Natal Transport Minister Siboniso Duma praised the employees of the transport and housing departments for their response to the harsh weather conditions in the province.

Weather Conditions and Response Measures

According to the Road Traffic Inspection, instances of snowfall have been recorded in Drakensberg, including at the Sanie Pass and Mount Fletcher border posts. Precipitation continues in Kokstad, and rain and fog are observed in Anderberg.

Siboniso Duma reported that bulldozers are on standby to prevent snow accumulation exceeding 30 centimeters. He also noted that over 170 rooms at the Montclair hotel have been provided for needy families, and department teams are responding promptly to severe weather events.

Traffic Coordination

Duma specified that Road Traffic Inspection teams will coordinate potential road closures in areas prone to snowfall. This applies to sections such as the N3 highway near Ladysmith, Kokstad, Anderberg, Harding, Newcastle, the N11 highway, Pietermaritzburg, and the N2 highway, to avoid situations where drivers become cut off from their routes.

Authorities are also closely monitoring the condition of the N3 highway between Harrismith and Ladysmith. The department stated that road closures will be implemented if necessary to protect drivers on these routes.

Weather Forecast

Cold weather is expected to persist throughout the week. The South African Weather Service forecasts variable cloudiness and low temperatures in the eastern parts of the country, with a possibility of isolated rains along the KwaZulu-Natal coast and in adjacent inland areas.