Work to clear heavy snow in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State has started on the N3 toll route along the Van Reenen Pass. (@SANRAL_za/X, formerly Twitter)
- KZN MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has warned communities downstream of the Tugela River of potential flooding risks due to melting snow.
- Emergency services have been praised for their quick response in rescuing stranded motorists and providing emergency assistance over the weekend.
- Authorities have urged people to stay away from floodwaters, stay away from bridges and follow evacuation orders if necessary.
Residents of KwaZulu-Natal have been warned of potential flooding risks as melting snow in the highlands raises concerns for areas downstream of the Tugela River.
The warning from Thulasizwe Buthelezi, Member of Parliament for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, comes after the province was hit by a heavy snowstorm in the KZN Midlands over the weekend.
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The storm claimed the life of 39-year-old Nozibele Nzonzo, who succumbed to the extreme cold while trapped in a taxi during the snowstorm.
Buthelezi praised the tireless efforts of disaster response teams and government agencies who assisted stranded motorists and provided essential aid under difficult circumstances.
“Their swift action helped prevent a potentially large number of casualties,” he said.
“These teams worked tirelessly all weekend in difficult conditions to reach stranded motorists and provide assistance, thus preventing mass casualties.”
Now that all routes are open again, Buthelezi advises motorists to drive with caution.
“With schools remaining closed, parents are urged to keep their children away from unmonitored water bodies, including rivers and dams. Disaster response teams are actively monitoring the Tugela River area, particularly from Ladysmith to uMsinga, to ensure the safety of residents,” he said.
The MEC urged residents not to walk, swim or drive through floodwaters, not to stand on bridges over fast-moving water, to go to higher ground or to a higher level and to stay where they were.
Meanwhile, the N3 toll route has been fully reopened after heavy snowfall caused significant traffic disruption last weekend.
On Sunday evening, the N3 Toll Concession reported that major traffic congestion between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State had been cleared and that traffic authorities had given the green light for traffic to resume in the affected area.
Sakhiseni Nxumalo
www.news24.com
