KZN disaster centre says it’s ready for snow, extreme cold next week

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance says its provincial disaster management centre has plans in place to deal with any eventuality, with snow and extreme cold forecast for Monday and Tuesday next week.

Last week, thousands of motorists were stuck on the N3 highway for over 48 hours after a heavy snowfall rendered the roads impassable. One person reportedly died of hypothermia.

The department says areas that will be affected include the Drakensberg, Kokstad, Underberg, the Midlands, Bergville, the Ladysmith area, as well as Newcastle and surrounding towns.

Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila says, “Residents across the province are assured that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre will continue to engage directly with stakeholders, including municipalities through the respective District Disaster Management Centres, social partners, and government entities responsible for law enforcement, disaster response, and roads, to ensure plans are in place to deal with any eventuality should the weather conditions deteriorate.

Residents are urged to monitor weather forecasts through reliable sources and further updates will be provided by the department.

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The provincial government says disaster teams have been put on high alert.

“This time around disaster teams will ensure that they put all the necessary measures in place to prevent a situation that unfolded last week. If needs be, roads will be closed before the snowfall,” says KZN MEC FOR Cogta Thulasizwe Buthelezi.

The government says it will soon convene a summit to find possible new ways of dealing with changing weather patterns.

Residents have been warned to monitor weather alerts before traveling.