South Africa faces extreme weather: Major routes closed due to snow and ice
Heavy snow, sleet, rain and icy conditions have disrupted travel across several provinces, with major routes closed. Here are the roads currently affected by the severe weather.
South Africa is bracing for extreme weather, with heavy snowfall and ice causing significant travel disruptions across several provinces. KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have borne the brunt of the cold snap, with numerous highways shut down due to hazardous conditions. The N3 road, a major route connecting KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Mpumalanga, has been partially closed between Estcourt and Harrismith, as well as between Harrismith and Van Reenen Pass.
Motorists are urged to avoid the N3 entirely and exercise extreme caution if travelling through these areas.
Snow and sleet have also been reported in the Western Cape, with the Swartberg Pass and Mont Rochelle/Franschhoek roads closed due to the wintry weather. In Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and the Northern Cape, traffic is flowing moderately despite some areas experiencing cold and wet conditions.
The Eastern Cape has reported sleet and rain between Warden and Mooi River, while Swinburne has seen a thick layer of snow. The R74 at Oliviershoek Pass, connecting Harrismith and Bergville, is considered high-risk, with conditions rapidly deteriorating towards the KZN border. Thick ice has affected routes around the Matatiele border and mountain passes across the Free State, with some mountain passes facing temporary closures.
Road Traffic Management Corporation has issued an urgent appeal to motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads. They have sprayed brine on all lanes in KwaZulu-Natal to prevent black ice formation and have warned drivers to reduce their speed immediately. Motorists are advised to verify road and weather conditions with local authorities before travelling.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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