Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Unusual heavy snowfall swept through several parts of South Africa on Sunday, September 22, 2024, causing the country into a state of emergency. The South African Weather Service described the event as an anomaly, as snowstorms are highly unusual in much of the country, which is typically warm for most of the year.
While snowfall occasionally occurs in higher-altitude areas like the Drakensberg Mountains, it is rare for snow to blanket the lower plains. The last significant snowfall in Johannesburg was in August 2012, over a decade ago.
Major Disruptions Across the Country
The unexpected snowstorm has caused severe challenges to transportation, infrastructure, and daily activities. Thick snow accumulation led to the closure of major highways and roads, causing gridlock and traffic delays. One of the hardest-hit areas was the N3 highway, a crucial route linking Johannesburg and Durban, where heavy snowfall made travel extremely dangerous. The most severely impacted section was between Warden and KwaZulu-Natal.
Reports indicate that all lanes of the N3 were completely blocked, and even turning around became impossible for many vehicles. This has resulted in many people being stranded in their cars overnight, as emergency services struggled to reach them.
Emergency Services Respond
Rescue operations were launched to reach those trapped by the snowstorm. Emergency personnel worked tirelessly to tow dozens of trucks and vehicles out of the snow while distributing food and warm beverages to drivers who had been stranded for hours. However, the full extent of those affected remains unclear as authorities continue their efforts.
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Tragically, two people lost their lives due to hypothermia after being stranded in vehicles on the snow-covered N3 highway. Among the victims was a 39-year-old woman who was trapped in a minibus. The snowstorm’s deadly conditions have raised concerns about the vulnerability of those unprepared for such extreme weather.
Aftermath and Flooding Concerns
The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Free State were worst hit by the snow. The South African Weather Service issued weather alerts in the region, warning that disruptive snow was causing life-threatening conditions, also with the potential for loss of livestock and crops. Officials have also issued warnings of potential flooding in certain areas when the snow begins to melt. The combination of melting snow and existing weather patterns could exacerbate the situation, leading to further disruptions.
This heavy snowfall has shocked South Africa, a country where such weather events are rare, especially in the lowlands. As emergency personnel continue to assist those affected, the nation faces the difficult task of recovering from this anomalous and deadly winter storm.
(Raidi/Agung)
