Unusually heavy snowfall fell in South Africa this weekend, with some recording up to two metres of snow. But even in areas where winter conditions are not common, snowfalls have caught people by surprise, and one person has already died.
A woman died of hypothermia in a hospital on Saturday after being trapped in a minibus with other passengers overnight, rescue workers said.
Major traffic chaos
Traffic remained gridlocked for 30 kilometres on the N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban on the country’s east coast on Sunday, two days after snow began, the operator said, with scores of cars, trucks and buses stuck in the snow.
Rescue and clearing operations continued on Sunday in the Drakensberg on the highway between Johannesburg and Durban. Vehicles that had broken down and were abandoned by their occupants were hampering the clean-up and rescue service. It remained unclear how many vehicles and how many passengers were still blocked on Sunday.
Lions are confused too
Snowfall is common in the interior of South Africa during the winter, but larger amounts of snow are rare. There are also regions recorded where snowfall is otherwise never reported. Wild animals are also affected; lions, for example, were fed food and water that had not yet frozen.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
