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Friday, Jun 13, 2025
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Severe Weather Disrupts Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
Heavy snow, floods, and gale-force winds lead to casualties, power outages, and disrupted transportation.
South Africa's Eastern Cape province has experienced severe weather conditions marked by heavy snow, rain, and gale-force winds, resulting in significant disruption and casualties.
A minibus carrying schoolchildren was swept away by flooding, with three children rescued so far.
Rescue operations paused overnight and are set to resume on Wednesday.
In a separate incident, the bodies of seven individuals swept by floodwaters have been recovered in the OR Tambo district.
The extreme weather has led to the deaths of five people in a road accident near East London, where a minibus taxi overturned when the driver lost control while trying to avoid a fallen tree, according to the Eastern Cape transport department.
Two additional individuals sustained injuries in that accident.
The heavy conditions have caused nearly 500,000 homes to lose electricity, with state utility Eskom reporting 300,000 homes affected in 14 towns across the Eastern Cape and an additional 196,000 homes experiencing power outages in 24 areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
Both provinces have recorded road closures as authorities aim to safeguard motorists and pedestrians from further hazards.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane urged citizens to exercise caution in flood-prone areas, characterizing the weather events as a powerful reminder of nature's force.
Transport Minister for KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, indicated that heavy snow has resulted in lorries becoming stuck on roads, causing substantial traffic congestion.
Grader machines have been deployed on the most affected routes to clear snow that has reached depths of over 30 centimeters (approximately 12 inches).
Meteorological authorities have cautioned about strong winds and heavy sea waves, complicating navigation for maritime vessels along the coasts of both provinces.
South Africa's winter months, from June to August, often see snowfall in certain regions, with temperatures dropping below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Additionally, the region frequently experiences flooding, attributed to climate change, which has intensified rainfall patterns.
Recent flash floods in late April caused considerable damage to approximately 4,500 homes and resulted in 18 injuries.
A minibus carrying schoolchildren was swept away by flooding, with three children rescued so far.
Rescue operations paused overnight and are set to resume on Wednesday.
In a separate incident, the bodies of seven individuals swept by floodwaters have been recovered in the OR Tambo district.
The extreme weather has led to the deaths of five people in a road accident near East London, where a minibus taxi overturned when the driver lost control while trying to avoid a fallen tree, according to the Eastern Cape transport department.
Two additional individuals sustained injuries in that accident.
The heavy conditions have caused nearly 500,000 homes to lose electricity, with state utility Eskom reporting 300,000 homes affected in 14 towns across the Eastern Cape and an additional 196,000 homes experiencing power outages in 24 areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
Both provinces have recorded road closures as authorities aim to safeguard motorists and pedestrians from further hazards.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane urged citizens to exercise caution in flood-prone areas, characterizing the weather events as a powerful reminder of nature's force.
Transport Minister for KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, indicated that heavy snow has resulted in lorries becoming stuck on roads, causing substantial traffic congestion.
Grader machines have been deployed on the most affected routes to clear snow that has reached depths of over 30 centimeters (approximately 12 inches).
Meteorological authorities have cautioned about strong winds and heavy sea waves, complicating navigation for maritime vessels along the coasts of both provinces.
South Africa's winter months, from June to August, often see snowfall in certain regions, with temperatures dropping below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Additionally, the region frequently experiences flooding, attributed to climate change, which has intensified rainfall patterns.
Recent flash floods in late April caused considerable damage to approximately 4,500 homes and resulted in 18 injuries.
