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Following a warning of extreme cold weather conditions with possible snowfall by the South African Weather Services (SAWS) CoGTA in the Free State province says emergency services are on high alert throughout the province.
The department says wet, windy, and very cold conditions are also expected in parts of the province, and disruptive snowfall is expected along the Lesotho border. The snowfall is also likely to hover over high-lying areas and mountain peaks, which may cause icy road conditions, leading to traffic disruptions.
The Provincial Disaster Management Teams have set up contingency plans in anticipation of the snowfall expected later this evening.
“The Thabo Mofutsanyana Disaster Management, which experienced heavy snowfall last year, has deployed teams on the ground to implement the snow contingency plans. These include the availability of graders to cover the N5, R712, and R714. An additional grader has also been availed to cover the N3 in Harrismith.
The team has already established a Joint Operation Center to be stationed around Harrismith and will work closely with SANRAL to assist with availing more resources that may be required. Meanwhile, other district disaster teams in the province are on standby and monitoring the situation on the ground. The public is advised to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety and health of their animals. The public is therefore warned against prolonged exposure to morning cold conditions,” said Ms Zimasa Mbewu, the Spokesperson for CoGTA.
