JOHANNESBURG (BN24) — A powerful cold front moving across South Africa has brought heavy snowfall, hazardous road conditions, power outages and a deadly accident, officials said Tuesday, as the country grapples with winter weather disruptions.
Five people were killed in a crash along the N2 highway in the Eastern Cape, where icy conditions contributed to the collision, according to Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose. Speaking to local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Binqose confirmed that the accident was directly linked to the adverse weather sweeping across multiple provinces.
The South African Weather Service had warned late last week of an incoming cold front expected to cause a steep drop in temperatures nationwide. The system brought with it disruptive rainfall, damaging winds, and snowfall in high-lying eastern areas of the country.
Snowfall was reported beginning Monday in parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, prompting road closures and travel warnings. Sections of the N2 highway, which connects the affected provinces, were shut down due to treacherous driving conditions, the KwaZulu-Natal transport department said.
South Africa typically experiences snowfall during its winter season from June through August, with temperatures frequently plunging below freezing. However, this week’s snow event is among the more disruptive in recent years due to its reach and intensity.
National power utility Eskom said it was responding to a surge in customer reports of outages across the country. In a post on X, Eskom attributed the widespread power failures to the inclement weather and said it was mobilizing additional resources to address the problem.
“The severe cold front has increased demand and caused technical challenges on the grid due to weather-related damage,” Eskom stated. The utility assured residents it was working to restore service as swiftly as possible.
The South African Weather Service forecasts that the cold front will persist through midweek, warning of continued low temperatures and potential snowfall in elevated regions.
Reuters
