A severe cold front continues to grip large parts of South Africa, leaving residents battling freezing temperatures following snowfall in parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Authorities are urging communities in affected areas to take precautions and exercise extreme caution as icy and wet conditions persist.
KwaZulu-Natal
In KwaZulu-Natal, disaster management teams remain deployed to monitor the impact of the adverse weather, particularly in snow-affected areas in the southern parts of the province and the Midlands.
The provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs says it is too early to determine the full extent of the damage caused by the weather.
More rain is expected in parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
Although roads remain open, authorities warn that many are wet and slippery. Residents have been encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel and remain indoors where possible until snow and ice have cleared.
Department spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi says the cold front is expected to persist until Thursday.
“The cold front is expected to continue up until Thursday. We further advise our communities when they use fire to keep warm to also exercise extreme caution to make sure that no fire is left unattended, particularly in densely populated areas as informal settlements,” Mngadi said.
He warned that unattended fires could result in devastating fires, particularly in densely populated communities.
Strong winds along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline are also creating additional risks, with the possibility of fallen trees and debris obstructing roads.
Snow and Damage in the Free State
Parts of the Free State are also experiencing snow, strong winds and rain, with authorities calling on residents to prioritise their safety.
The provincial Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department says a warning has been issued for up to 10 centimetres of snow along the Lesotho border and in north-eastern parts of the province.
The Thabo Mofutsanyana District Disaster Management Centre and Maluti-a-Phofung Fire and Rescue Services are closely monitoring conditions from Harrismith.
Strong winds have damaged homes and public infrastructure in several districts, while some families have been evacuated to safer locations.
Swartberg Mountains Covered in Snow
Meanwhile, the Swartberg Mountains near Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo have been transformed into a spectacular winter landscape following recent snowfall.
Clear skies on Tuesday morning have provided motorists and residents with distant views of the snow-covered peaks.
However, the Swartberg Pass remains closed due to the recent snowfall and icy road conditions.
Although weather conditions have since improved, authorities have warned motorists not to attempt to use the pass while the closure remains in place.
With the cold front expected to continue affecting parts of the country, residents are urged to monitor official weather and emergency updates, avoid unnecessary travel and take extra precautions when using alternative heating methods.