KZN search-and-rescue teams on standby following flood warning due to melting snow
Heavy snow fell in some areas this past weekend, leaving hundreds of people stranded on the N3 near Van Reenen’s Pass for more than 12 hours.
The Cooperative Governance Department in KwaZulu-Natal has warned residents to stay indoors over the next few days. Picture: @_ArriveAlive/ X.
DURBAN - Search-and-rescue teams in KwaZulu-Natal are on standby for any eventualities following a flood warning due to melting snow.
Heavy snow fell in some areas this past weekend, leaving hundreds of people stranded on the N3 near Van Reenen’s Pass for over 12 hours.
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The provincial government is urging parents to ensure that their children do not play near unguarded large bodies of water.
The KwaZulu-Natal government is busy with mop-up operations in the province following the devastating weekend of snowfall.
The snow began melting on Monday, and officials cleared the route using graders. One person died due to hypothermia.
IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyerick said, “Water levels are expected to rise rapidly as the snow begins to melt. Residents and local communities are urged to remain vigilant as flooding remains a high possibility.”
Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has forecast warmer conditions countrywide this week.
“For the next six days, we are not expecting any rain or adverse weather. However, on the seventh day, that is when we will see a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms scattered around the east coast of the country, covering areas around the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal,” said forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela.
Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) said the risk of flooding remains in parts of the province where the snow has not yet cleared.
While the N3 highway has been cleared, the department has issued a warning of potential flooding in areas near the Thukela River.
The department’s Senzelwe Mzila said disaster management officials are on high alert.
“The Drakensberg mountain range, you can still see snow on those mountains, and also the mountains around Warden. The snow is still visible, and that is the risk the department is aware of that if that snow melts, there is a risk that water levels could increase.”