Snow shuts KZN roads as truck gets stuck on R617

Motorists in parts of KwaZulu-Natal have been urged to delay their journeys assnowfallhas forced the closure of several roads across the province. Transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) had activated its snowfall response plan to prevent motorists and snowchasers becoming trapped. Snowchasers travel to areas experiencing snowfall to see, photograph and enjoy the snow, but at times create additional traffic and safety risks during the dangerous weather conditions.

Snowfall has been reported in Kokstad, Underberg, Matatiele and Nottingham Road, with authorities closing several roads in affected areas. This comes after theSA Weather Service(Saws) issued a severe warning for disruptive snowfall over the Drakensberg and northern parts of the Eastern Cape. Duma said the R617 has been closed, with traffic redirected to the R56.

“RTI has reported one truck is stuck on the R617 at Kingscote. We are requesting motorists to delay their trips and members of the public to remain indoors,” Duma said. He said the province’ssnowfallresponse plan was focused on preventing snow from accumulating to dangerous levels.

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“The plan involves removing snow before it can accumulate to more than 30cm in depth,” Duma said. He said operators using graders had been ordered to clear snow from affected roads. The MEC warned the freezing conditions could cause further damage to the province’s road infrastructure.

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