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Heavy rainfall and spring snowfalls in parts of the Eastern Cape put authorities on high alert as major routes were affected on Tuesday.
SA Weather Service forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said snow this late in the year was unusual.
“High-lying areas are going to have flooding conditions, especially in the eastern parts all the way to KwaZulu-Natal.
“The mountain areas in the Drakensberg all the way to the eastern areas are not used to having snow in spring — it’s quite uncommon and rare for it to happen in November and in our records, the last observed snow was in November 3 to 4 of 1939 and that was over Harrismith as well as parts of Middelburg and areas ... on the border [of] Free State into KwaZulu-Natal.”
“In spring, we can have snow, especially in September and October, but it’s quite rare in November.
“We will start seeing an improvement in temperatures in the next two days, especially in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
“We are having above-normal rainfall and precipitation expected for the southeast coast.
“The number of events happening now in the eastern half of the Eastern Cape and the southeast coast of the country as a whole, seems to indicate we are going to have more extreme weather conditions in the province.”
Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the department was closely monitoring mountain passes, particularly the Lootsberg Pass on the N9 between Middelburg and Graaff-Reinet and the Wapadsberg Pass between Graaff-Reinet and Nxuba (formerly Cradock).
“The November snowfalls add another dimension to already challenging conditions in the Eastern Cape, with widespread heavy rains causing slippery roads and poor visibility.
“These rains are posing a challenge to our infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
“We are calling on our road users to be extra vigilant.”
On Tuesday, a Dispatch team criss-crossed East London to check on weather conditions and found it to be business as usual in most parts of the metro.
BCM officials were working throughout the city unblocking drains, removing weeds and clearing mud from the municipal drainage systems on bridges and major roads.
City officials unblocked a clogged drain which had caused flooding at the Parkside access bridge.
Fast food hawkers on Duncan Village’s Douglas Smith highway said the heavy rains and cold weather had resulted in brisk sales.
“In weather like this, people want hot food, so for us, this is good for business,” Unathi Vena said.
“I’ve had more clients since very early in the morning because, in weather like this, people prefer stew and dumplings.”
The Gift of the Givers rolled out hot meals, blankets and personal hygiene packs to more than 1,000 flood victims in Nelson Mandela Bay and the Sarah Baartman district municipality.
The foundation’s founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, said: “We’ve also been activated in the Buffalo City Metro, where various areas are being affected, especially Duncan Village in Mdantsane.
“We are working closely with officials and community leaders to ensure that everybody is safe.
“We urge communities to watch the water levels, and then when the call goes out for evacuation, please do so.”
BCM urged residents to exercise caution because more rain was predicted. The city’s disaster management joint operations centre was on high alert.
“Motorists are warned not to attempt to cross flooded bridges and streets.
“Those staying in low-lying areas near flood plains must evacuate and not rebuild.
“Households must take precautions in case of water flows and should unblock drains,” a city official said.
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