The transportation department said on Sunday that teams and equipment had already been positioned on critical routes. (File photo STR/AFP via Getty Images)
KwaZulu-Natal’s transport MEC Siboniso Duma on Sunday warned of possible road closures and dangerous driving conditions due to the threat of snow and bad weather along the N3.
Duma said an updated warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) indicated worsening weather conditions.
SAWS initially issued a level 4 yellow warning, now upgraded to a level 5 orange warning, for disruptive snow on Monday.
The department was closely monitoring the situation and preparing for the possibility of road closures and diversions, Duma said.
“We consider light snowfall to be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal,” he said, urging motorists to postpone or reschedule their trips.
Duma said the department had coordinated the plans with the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate, the N3 Toll Concession, Free State Provincial Transport and the National Traffic Police.
Efforts to reduce accidents include using salt and brine to prevent snow and ice buildup on roads, and using motor graders to clear snow.
Main routes that may be closed:
- N3 From Reenenpas to Tugela Plaza
- Tugela Plaza to Bergville
- N11 Bergville Interchange to Volksrust
- Estcourt to Nice Toll Plaza
- Beautiful Toll Plaza to Howick
- R617 Underberg to Swartberg
- R617 Swartberg to Kokstad
- R74 Mudenweg
- R33 Pomeroy to Dundee
- Montrose to Van Reenen Village
Last week, parts of the province were inundated with snow following a Level 8 warning, leaving thousands of motorists stranded along the N3 highway for hours.
Two people died of hypothermia after their car got stuck on the highway.
The N3 toll route between Estcourt and Harrismith, in the Free State, had to be closed due to heavy snow, which also disrupted essential services including water and electricity.
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