By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Two people have died from hypothermia after they were trapped in the heavy snow on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.
This comes after road users spent two nights in their cars as they were unable to move due to the heavy snow.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Premier, Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa made the announcement at a briefing on Sunday afternoon.
Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).
In hypothermia (hi-poe-THUR-me-uh), the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Regular body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).
When body temperature drops, the heart, nervous system and other organs can’t work as well as they usually do. Left untreated, hypothermia can cause the heart and respiratory system to fail and eventually can lead to death.
Common causes of hypothermia include exposure to cold weather or immersion in cold water. Treatment for hypothermia includes methods to warm the body back to a regular temperature (Source: Mayo Clinic).
During the media briefing, Madlopha-Mthethwa confirmed that while some individuals remain trapped in their vehicles, many have been rescued.
Madlopha-Mthethwa said all resources and teams have been dispatched to assist motorists who are stranded on roads.
“These teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe passage and provide assistance where necessary. The Municipal Parks Department is on stand-by to remove tree debris from affected roads and areas,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said.
Furthermore, we are collaborating with non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross and the Al Imdaad Foundation, who are providing food, water, and hot meals to stranded motorists. Provincial agencies, including SASSA and the Department of Social Development (DSD), are actively profiling affected families and offering immediate relief.”
The acting premier added that members from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are on stand-by with helicopters to assist in delivering hot meals and evacuating individuals in severely impacted areas.
Most roads which had been closed because of the snowfall had been cleared and reopened for traffic on Sunday morning.
Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi confirmed during the briefing that authorities successfully accounted for all passengers who were stranded in heavy snow on the N3 highway over the weekend.
Buthelezi said that at some point, 1823 vehicles were stuck between Van Reenen’s Pass and the Mooi River Plaza.
“All passengers that were on the road have been accounted for as of last night. All cars have been evacuated, but there is still a problem with the trucks on the road that still need to be cleared,” Buthelezi said.
While all cars have been evacuated, the situation remains critical due to the presence of abandoned trucks on the road.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the N3 as the cleanup process is still ongoing.
In the Free State, snow is melting on the N5 from Bethlehem to Harrismith and the R57 from Kestell to the R714 junction, and road conditions are hazardous.
The border posts at Sani Pass, Boesmansnek and Monontsha remain closed to travellers.
Motorists are being advised to use the Ficksburg, Calendonspoort, Makhaleng or Maseru ports as an alternative.
Meanwhile on Sunday evening, the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) said that the extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State has been cleared, and traffic authorities have given the green light for travel to resume in the affected area.
However, the N3TC warned that it was highly recommended that trips only commence from Monday.
“Daytime travel is always the safer choice. We remind road users to plan ahead and be prepared for any eventuality before you set out on your journey.