Major routes between the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal open again

20 September 2024 [updated 22 September]
By The Editor

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Updated at 8:30am on Monday.

Snow Report Southern Africa are closely monitoring the heavy snowfall in South Africa and Lesotho on 19 and 21 September 2024.

Various roads in this region were closed and some people were stuck in their vehicles since Friday night.

The N3 has now been reopened to traffic in both directions.

No more snow is expected this weekend.

N3 North - closed at Tugela Plaza
N3 South - rescue and recovery in progress
R103 – Mooi River to Estcourt
R74 – Harrismith to Bergville is now open.
R74 – Greytown/Colenso Road
R617 – Kokstad to Underberg
R617 – Howick to Underberg
R396 – Naudes Nek Pass is covered in thick snow
R722 - Harrismith to Memel is covered in snow
N11 - Ladysmith to Newcastle
N11 – Amajuba Pass
N2 - Richardsbay to Piet Retief
R33 - Vryheid to Dundee
R34 - Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid OPEN

R67 – Nico Malan Pass
N9-6 – Lootsberg Pass

R33 - Vryheid to Dundee open but water damping on the road at Cotswold
R34 - Newcastle to Memel
R34 - Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid open with snow along the route.
R33 - Vryheid to Paulpietersburg
R34 - Vryheid to Melmoth
R69 - Vryheid to Pongola

Snow Report has been in contact with a school bus full of kids stuck in the snow on Oliviershoek Pass on the R74 through the night and the local authorities working on the situation.

SCHOOL BUS UPDATE: The kids and their bus have reached their destination safely.

It seems an orange level 8 warning for disruptive snow was issued at 8:09am on Saturday morning for Alfred Duma Ladysmith, Dr N. Dlamini-Zuma - Underberg, Greater Kokstad, Impendle, Inkosi, Langalibalele Escourt, Inkosi Langalibalele Sobabili, Mpofana Giants Castle, Mpofana, Mooi River, Okhahlamba, uMngeni from 1am on Saturday morning until 11pm on Saturday evening. Impacts include leading to icy roads resulting in major traffic disruptions, all mountain passes closed and widespread roads and railway lines temporarily affected due to accumulation of ice causing widespread traffic disruption. Travel should be avoided.

More photos will be posted below and this page will be updated regularly with the road situation.

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