Snow disrupts essential services in Impendle

Severe weather has begun affecting essential services in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, with heavy snowfall knocking out power and communications at a clinic in Impendle, as emergency services urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health said Gomane Clinic in Impendle had been severely affected by the adverse weather conditions following heavy snowfall overnight. According to the department, the clinic suffered a complete power outage, while telephone lines were also knocked out, hampering communication with the facility.

“According to the night duty team, the area experienced heavy snowfall overnight, resulting in a complete power outage. Telephone lines have also been knocked out, severely hampering communication services in the area,” the department said. The clinic appealed to residents to remain calm and check on vulnerable neighbours, particularly elderly people, young children and those with chronic illnesses who may require urgent medical attention.

The disruption comes as heavy snow, rain, mist and icy conditions affect parts of the province, prompting emergency and traffic authorities to urge residents to stay off the roads unless travel is essential. Midlands EMS medic and spokesperson Roland Robertson said residents should resist the temptation to venture into affected areas to see or play in the snow. “We are urging people not to travel if they don’t need to.

[paywall]

There are poor road conditions and people are not adequately prepared for such conditions,” he said. “Our vehicles are not even suitable for such weather. The roads are wet and icy and that could even cause a bakkie to slip.” Robertson said the heavy snowfall experienced in 2024 should serve as a warning of how quickly conditions could become dangerous.

“When we had a large amount of snowfall in 2024, no one was prepared for that and people were stuck for days. One person even died.

[/paywall]