Up to two meters of snow fell in South Africa: the situation on the roads is critical

In South Africa on Saturday, September 21, snow unexpectedly fell. In some places, snowdrifts reached up to two meters, which caused a real disaster.

Motorists were stuck just on the highways, the roads were closed. Rescue and restoration work continued on Saturday and Sunday. This was reported by Africa Facts Zone.

As noted by the media, the N3 highway connecting Johannesburg and Durban was particularly affected. Even bypass roads were impassable. Emergency services worked continuously throughout the night. They tried to cover as many road users as possible.

Traffic had to be stopped because vehicles began to slide. At this stage, we are all sitting in our cars, emergency services cannot reach us, and there is almost no visibility, – driver Adil Hassam, who got caught in the snow on the Van Renen Pass, told cgnews24 reporters on Friday.

It is snowing in South Africa. There is snowfall in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Gauteng. pic.twitter.com/Oi257NXYtA

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) September 21, 2024

Emergency services were working to reach people in their vehicles, N3 Toll Concession operations manager Tanya Dugra told ENCA TV.

Emergency services worked continuously throughout the night (with Friday to Saturday – ed.). They were trying to reach as many road users as possible, Dugra said.

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government said in a statement at noon on Saturday that blankets and food had been delivered to some drivers stuck on snowy roads.

It is snowing in South Africa. There is snowfall in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Free State and Gauteng. pic.twitter.com/Oi257NXYtA

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) September 21, 2024

Up to two meters of rain fell in some areas, the Arrive Alive road safety campaign reported on social media X snow It is expected that the snowfall may increase, South African Meteorological Service forecaster Luthando Masimini told AFP.