Heavy snowfall shuts roads, strands motorists in South Africa
Roads were closed and motorists were stranded on Saturday following unusually heavy snowfall in South Africa. The N3 highway connecting Johannesburg and Durban was particularly affected, with emergency services trying to reach people in their vehicles in portions where the road had been closed.
Unusually heavy snowfall caused major disruption on South Africa’s roads Saturday with people still stranded at midday after spending the night stuck in their vehicles.
The key N3 highway linking Johannesburg and the east coast city of Durban was one of the worst affected and several portions were closed, with even detours impassible, officials said.
Emergency services were working to reach people in their vehicles but it was still not clear how many were affected and in what condition they were, N3 Toll Concession operations manager Thania Dhoogra told the ENCA broadcaster.
"Emergency services have been working flat out through the night. They have been attempting to reach as many roads users as they can," Dhoogra said.
Blankets and meals had been delivered to some stranded motorists, the government of the KwaZulu-Natal province said in a statement at midday.
Trucks had been parked on the side of the road since Friday, Road Traffic Management Corporation communications officer Simon Zwane told AFP. "Buses travelling between provinces have been stuck at petrol stations for around seven hours," he said.
Motorist Muhammad Goolam told the Newzroom Afrika channel that he had spent the night in his car with his children outside the town of Harrismith, around 270 kilometres (170 miles) southeast of Johannesburg.
(AFP)
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
Read also:
South African government seeks solution to millions in unpaid electricity bills
South Africa's Ramaphosa unveils new coalition cabinet
Ramaphosa is re-elected for second term as South African president, heading broad coalition
