Durban — As KwaZulu-Natal is still reeling from the devastating snowstorm that left two people dead and many others hospitalised, a fresh weather service report predicts a weekend of snow in the coastal province. However, the provincial government says it is ready and would not be caught napping unlike last week.
On Thursday, Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said: “We interacted with the SA Weather Service. They informed us that KwaZulu-Natal would be affected by snowfall from Monday into Tuesday.”
This comes as KZN was picking up the pieces following the snowstorm that led to motorists being stuck on the N3 for almost three days last week.
“The SA Weather Service will still be updating their forecast, but highly efficient and dedicated teams are on standby,” Duma said.
Duma said it was likely that last weekend’s snowfall could have caused extensive damage to roads.
“We have assigned our engineers in consultation with the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) to look at the impact on our road infrastructure. Most climatologists and weather experts agree that this province has never experienced such a heavy snowfall.
“They have informed us that when water and ice seep into existing cracks on our roads and freeze, these cracks turn into large potholes,” he said.
Areas likely to be affected by next week’s snowfall include Ladysmith, Underberg, Drakensberg and Giant’s Castle.
“The SA Weather Service will be updating their forecast. But highly efficient teams are on standby.
“The RIMS, led by Sanral, composed of all key role players on the national, provincial and municipal road networks, is already harmonising one plan. The department is identifying areas where joint operations and co-ordination will be established – covering all notorious roads and areas identified in the past experiences.”
The department’s Road Traffic Inspectorate had established a satellite centre at the top of the Van Reenen’s Pass to ensure quick action and road closure to mitigate snow-related incidents. It would start operating tomorrow afternoon, said Duma.
Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said early forecasts indicated extreme cold next Monday and Tuesday.
“Residents across the province are assured that the provincial disaster management centre would continue to engage directly with stakeholders – including municipalities, through the respective district disaster management centres, social partners and government entities responsible for law enforcement, disaster response and roads – to ensure plans are in place to deal with any eventuality should the weather conditions deteriorate,” said Buthelezi.
SA Weather Service forecaster, Luthando Masimini, said: “These were as a result of a low-pressure system that moved across the country. These systems are not uncommon at this time of the year. The only difference is the cold front was followed by far-reaching high temperatures.”
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