Late Snowstorms Cause Disruption and Fatalities in South Africa

Unseasonably late snowstorms wreaked havoc on coastal areas of South Africa this past weekend, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals and causing the closure of several major highways. According to the Associated Press, these extreme weather conditions primarily affected the province of Kwazulu-Natal and the Free State.

The fatalities were linked to hypothermia, as the two victims were trapped in vehicles stranded by the heavy snow on the N3 highway. This highway is a critical route leading to the coastal city of Durban. Among the deceased was a 39-year-old woman who became stuck in a minibus during the storm.

Authorities warned that the melting snow could lead to flooding in some regions, compounding the difficulties faced by local communities. Significant damage was reported, with many farmers seeing their crops buried under the snow for two consecutive days, sparking concerns about agricultural losses.

Emergency services were actively involved in towing stranded trucks and other vehicles from affected roads. Additionally, they provided food and warm beverages to motorists who had been immobilized by the adverse weather for several hours. Motorists were advised to exercise caution when traveling in the cleared, yet still potentially hazardous, areas.

In response to the severe conditions, schools in KwaZulu-Natal were temporarily closed. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the province’s Minister for Cooperative Governance, highlighted the potential risk of flooding along the Tugela River and urged parents to ensure that children stay clear of unmonitored water bodies such as rivers and dams. “As schools remain closed, parents are urged to keep children away from unguarded bodies of water, including rivers and dams,” Buthelezi stated.