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The Traffic Safety Service (TSD) has alerted about the possibility of precipitation in some sections of the Kamchik Pass.

Road police officers have taken control of ensuring traffic safety on this mountain pass road. The TSD strongly recommends that drivers exercise extra vigilance, strictly follow established traffic rules, and avoid exceeding the speed limit.

Earlier, on August 4th, around 12:10, the rescue service of the 'Kamchik' Pass received a report of an incident near the 'Tian Shan' cafe. During the mountain ascent, one of three tourists lost balance on the slope and sustained injuries.

Rescuers immediately arrived at the scene of the incident and, using mountaineering equipment, were able to evacuate the injured person to a safe area. Subsequently, the man was handed over to the medical team.

Unstable weather in South Africa has led to traffic disruptions in several provinces, with heavy snowfall and precipitation causing the closure of many major road routes. Drivers are strongly urged to exercise extreme caution.

The KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces have been most affected, where numerous main highways are closed due to snowfall. Nevertheless, snow is also being recorded in some areas of the Western Cape, while wet snow and other adverse conditions are observed in Free State, Mpumalanga, and other regions.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation has issued an urgent appeal to drivers, urging them to maintain maximum caution under the current conditions. In a statement published on Monday afternoon, the organization listed the roads affected by the deteriorating weather.

Situation in KwaZulu-Natal

The N3 section between Estcourt and Harrismith in Free State is closed; drivers are advised not to use the N3 for travel to KZN. The Midmar/Howick section is also closed.

It was additionally noted that the Van Reenen Pass is extremely dangerous due to black ice, and travel over it is not recommended. The R617 road is closed between Kokstad and Onderberg after a truck got stuck in King's Court, and traffic has been diverted to the R56. The R74 section between Harrismith and Bergville on the Oliver'shoek Pass is also closed, and the R74 (Greytown/Colenso) road is closed due to heavy snowfall in Santa Maria. Sections R103 and the Tollgate to Tugela are completely closed due to harsh weather. Conditions on the road from Lions River to Nottingham are very difficult, with traffic moving at approximately 20 km/h.

Situation in Eastern Cape

The following roads are completely closed: N6 (Penchook Pass) between Komani (Queenstown) and Jamestown; N9 (Lootsberg Pass) between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg; R58 (Barkly Pass) between Elliot and Barkley East; as well as the Boysmanshoek Pass between Sterkfontein and Molteno.

Situation in Free State

On the N3 section between Harrismith and Van Reenen Pass, extreme caution should be exercised. Emergency crews are spraying salt on all lanes to prevent black ice formation. Wet snow and rain are occurring between Warden and Mooi River, and a layer of snow is visible in Swinburne; drivers are advised to immediately reduce speed. The R74 section on the Oliver'shoek Pass, between Harrismith and Bergville, is considered a high-risk zone, as conditions deteriorate rapidly towards the KZN border despite previous possibility of passage. Thick ice has affected routes around the Matatili border and regional roads in the southern Free State, and mountain passes may be temporarily closed.

Situation in Mpumalanga

In most areas of Mpumalanga, traffic is proceeding normally. However, the Long Tom Pass on R37 was closed after several vehicles got stuck on slippery ascents, and road services blocked access from both sides. The N4/N12 junction is open but poses a high risk. Emergency services reported multiple accidents due to poor visibility and wet, icy road surfaces. Roads in Belfast, Dullstroom, and Russenekal (R540) are open, but extreme caution is required. Light snow and heavy wet snow have affected the roadside, creating potentially icy patches. Drizzle and localized icing are reported in Volksrust and Ermelo, and strong crosswinds are affecting high-sided vehicles.

Situation in Western Cape

Traffic in the Western Cape is moderate, but the Swartberg Pass and the Mont Rochelle/Franschhoek roads are closed due to snow.

Other Areas of South Africa

In Gauteng, Limpopo, North West Cape, and North Cape, traffic is flowing smoothly, although some areas are experiencing cold and damp conditions.

* Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information in this article. However, road and weather conditions can change rapidly, and IOL is not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, delays, or changes in the provided information. Drivers should check conditions with the relevant authorities before traveling.

South Africa is facing adverse weather conditions caused by heavy snowfall and rain, leading to traffic disruptions in several provinces. Drivers are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution.

The KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces have been most severely affected, with numerous major roads closed due to snowfall. However, snow was also reported in parts of the Western Cape, while wet snow and other unfavorable conditions were observed in Free State, Mpumalanga, and other regions.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation issued an urgent appeal to drivers to maintain maximum caution under the current conditions. In a statement published on Monday afternoon, the organization reported on the roads affected by bad weather.

Situation in KwaZulu-Natal

In KwaZulu-Natal, the N3 road is closed between Estcourt and Harrismith in Free State. Drivers are advised not to use the N3 for travel to KZN. Additionally, the road is closed in the Midmar/Howick area.

Additional hazards include the Van Reenen Pass, which is extremely dangerous due to black ice, and travel on it is not recommended. The R617 road is closed between Kokstad and Onderberg after a truck got stuck in King'scote; traffic has been diverted to R56. The R74 road between Harrismith and Bergville on the Oliver'shoek Pass is also closed, as is the R74 (Greytown/Colenso road) due to heavy snowfall in Santa Maria. Roads R103 and the toll section of Tugela are completely closed due to harsh weather. On the section from Lions River to Nottingham, traffic is very difficult, and the speed is around 20 km/h.

Situation in Eastern Cape

The following roads are completely closed in the Eastern Cape: N6 (Penchhoek Pass) between Komani (Queenstown) and Jamestown, N9 (Lootsberg Pass) between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg, R58 (Barkly Pass) between Elliot and Barkly East, and the Boesmanshoek Pass between Sterkfontein and Molteno.

Situation in Free State

On the N3 section between Harrismith and the Van Reenen Pass, drivers should proceed with extreme caution. Emergency crews are spraying brine on all lanes to prevent black ice formation. Wet snow and rain are occurring between Warden and Mooi River, and a layer of snow is visible in Swinburne; drivers are urged to immediately reduce speed. The R74 road on the Oliver'shoek Pass, between Harrismith and Bergville, is considered high-risk. Although the route was previously passable, conditions are deteriorating rapidly towards the KZN border. Thick ice has affected routes around the Matatili border and regional roads in southern Free State, and mountain passes may be temporarily closed.

Situation in Mpumalanga

In most areas of Mpumalanga, traffic is proceeding normally. Nevertheless, the Long Tom Pass on R37 was closed after several vehicles got stuck on slippery ascents, and road services blocked access from both sides. Traffic at the N4/N12 interchange is open but extremely dangerous. Emergency services reported numerous accidents due to poor visibility and wet, icy road surfaces. On the Belfast, Dalstroom, and Russenekal (R540) sections, traffic is open but requires extreme caution. Light snow and heavy wet snow have affected the road shoulders, creating potentially icy patches. Volksrust and Ermelo report drizzle and localized icing, and strong crosswinds are affecting high-sided vehicles.

Situation in Western Cape

Traffic in the Western Cape is moderate, but the Swartberg Pass and the Mont Rochelle/Franschhoek roads are closed due to snow.

In other parts of South Africa, traffic is running smoothly in Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, and North Cape, although some areas are experiencing cold and damp conditions.