Roads closed as snow covers KZN and Eastern Cape (PICS and VIDEOS)
A clinic in KZN also lost electricity and its phone lines after heavy snowfall overnight
Heavy snowfall has caused numerous roads to be closed in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape, disrupting travel and causing power outages. The KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlements announced the closure of roads in Kokstad, Kingscot, Underberg, and Clifton, around Nottingham Road, to prevent motorists from becoming trapped in the snow.
The department's Road Traffic Inspectorate reported a truck stuck on the R617, which has also been closed, prompting traffic to be redirected to the R56. MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, urged motorists to delay their trips and remain indoors. In the Eastern Cape, mountain passes such as Penhoek Pass, Barkley Pass, and Boesmanshoek Pass have been closed due to heavy snowfall.
The Chris Hani District Municipality noted that overnight snow in Graaff-Reinet has led to the closure of the Lootsberg pass and Wapadsberg pass, affecting travel on the N9/6 and R61/2. The Qacha’s Nek border connecting the Eastern Cape to Lesotho has also been shut down due to snowfall in Matatiele and Cedarville. Additionally, heavy snowfall has caused an electricity outage at Harry Gwala Regional Hospital in the KZN Midlands, leaving telephone lines down and communication services severely affected.
Hospital officials are appealing to the community to remain calm, check on vulnerable neighbors, and help those in need.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
