Heavy snowfall disrupts travel in KwaZulu-Natal

Severe snowfall has caused road closures across parts of KwaZulu-Natal, prompting the provincial government to activate its Snowfall Response Plan. The road network in areas such as Kokstad, Underberg, Matatiele, and Clifton near Nottingham Road has been impacted, with the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) reporting that the R617 was closed and drivers being diverted to the R56 to avoid dangerous conditions.

KwaZulu-Natal's Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, announced that authorities acted swiftly to restrict access to affected routes, emphasizing the need for motorists to postpone travel. He confirmed that one truck had become stranded on the R617 near Kokstad, urging residents to remain indoors as the situation worsens.

Duma attributed the escalating weather events to climate change, warning that extreme conditions place increasing strain on the province's transportation infrastructure. He noted that when water and ice infiltrate road cracks and then freeze, they create significant potholes, exacerbating the issue.

The department has deployed road maintenance teams and heavy machinery to manage the snow accumulation, with a focus on keeping key routes clear by preventing snow depth from exceeding 30cm. Officials are actively working to prevent motorists and "snow chasers" from becoming trapped in hazardous conditions.

As KwaZulu-Natal braces for continued cold weather and snowfall, authorities remain on high alert, cautioning residents against traveling to snow-affected areas for recreational purposes. The provincial Transport Indaba, set for October, will discuss the impact of such extreme weather on transport infrastructure.