Unusually heavy snowfall leaves hundreds stranded on roads in South Africa
A severe snowstorm swept across South Africa on Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21, 2024, stranding hundreds of motorists, including those on the N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban. Many were trapped on the roads for 24 hours without access to food or water. One person has passed away after spending the night trapped in sub-zero temperatures.
Image credit: Arrive Alive
- Reports on social media suggest that some areas were covered in 2 m (6 feet) of snow.
- Trucks have been parked on the sides of the roads since Friday, September 20, with some motorists stuck for over 24 hours without food and water.
- One person succumbed to hypothermia after enduring sub-zero temperatures overnight.
Unusually heavy snowfall in South Africa caused road closures on Friday and Saturday, particularly affecting the key N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban, trapping hundreds of motorists in sub-zero temperatures. Reports on social media suggest that some areas were covered in 2 m (6 feet) of snow.
Many people were stranded in their vehicles overnight, with some remaining stuck until midday on Saturday. The exact number of those affected is still unknown.
“Emergency services have been working tirelessly through the night, trying to reach as many stranded motorists as possible,” said Thania Dhoogra, N3 Toll Concession operations manager.
Despite these efforts, one person tragically succumbed to hypothermia after enduring sub-zero temperatures overnight.
The deceased was part of a group traveling in a taxi that became trapped in the snow. After hours in the cold, the group sought refuge at a nearby shopping center in Merrivale. Unfortunately, the individual collapsed upon arrival, showing severe signs of hypothermia.
“We have done everything in our power to assist those stranded in these challenging conditions. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and extend our condolences to the victim’s family,” stated the uMngeni Municipal emergency center.
South African Weather Services forecaster Luthando Masimini described the event as an ‘extreme case.’
The snowstorm has also disrupted essential services across parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Several towns in the region are experiencing power outages, with fallen trees and snow buildup damaging power lines. Water supply has also been interrupted in some areas, and technical teams are working to restore services as swiftly as possible.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to prepare for prolonged outages as ongoing weather conditions continue to hinder repair efforts. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) has urged residents to stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
With snow continuing to fall and temperatures remaining dangerously low, authorities are renewing their calls for caution. Siboniso Duma, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, has urged the public to avoid the N3 and other major routes impacted by the snow.
“We understand that people need to travel, but the conditions on the roads are extremely hazardous,” Duma said. “Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety, and we ask that motorists please avoid these areas until it is safe to travel.”
Snowstorms in South Africa are relatively rare, especially in most parts of the country, due to its generally warm climate.
Snow typically occurs during the winter months (June to August) and is mostly confined to higher-altitude regions. The Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho, and certain parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are the primary areas where snow is more commonly observed.
Even in these regions, significant snowstorms are uncommon and usually occur only a few times a year, often attracting considerable attention due to their rarity. In most cases, snowfall is light and does not accumulate to the extent of causing widespread disruption.
Reference:
1 Heavy snowfall shuts roads, strands motorists in South Africa – France 24 -September 21, 2024
2 Tragic Night on N3: One Dead After Snow Traps Motorists in Freezing Cold – Central News – September 22, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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