MAJOR warning for snow and cold fronts over Easter weekend

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KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has encouraged travellers to monitor weather warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) as snow and a cold front have been predicted over the Easter weekend.

Road traffic volumes are expected to increase with travellers driving to various religious and holiday destinations from Friday, 18 April to Monday, 21 April.

Heavy rainfall

“We are in receipt of a weather report from the SAWS informing us of a cold front that will result in the dropping of temperatures, heavy rainfall and possible snowfall.

“While the SAWS has not suggested the province will be blanketed in a wave of snow, we request motorists to monitor weather reports and exercise caution. Our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate has been activated to monitor traffic closely.

“Drawing from our past experience, we are fully aware of hazards and the havoc associated with the snow.

“Not long ago, we experienced an extreme heat index of 30 degrees Celsius, but we are now bracing ourselves for possible snowfall and heavy rainfall.

“These are the realities of erratic weather patterns caused by climate change,” the MEC said.

Duma highlighted the following planned interventions:

The Road Safety and Traffic Inspectorate team will coordinate possible road closures and observation of major routes in consultation with N3 Toll Concession. The focus will be on the N3 Harrismith, the Tugela Toll Plaza, the R617 between Kokstad and Underberg, the N2 Ingeli and N3 Mooi-River, among others.
The team will also be responsible for escorting trucks and vehicles to ensure that there is no congestion on the road.
Drivers of motor graders have been sharpened to respond with a sense of urgency to remove any snow before it accumulates on the road. More than 10 graders will be stationed on identified routes to ensure that responses are faster.
A roving team from Human Settlements has been activated to liaise with the national Department of Human Settlements’ Emergency Housing and Mitigation Unit should there be an urgent need to assist destitute families as a result of flooding or when houses are covered in snow.
The province, working with the Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, will ensure that displaced families are relocated to ensure their safety.
The deployment of Temporary Residential Units will be sped up to accommodate affected families.