Major South African highway reopens after heavy snowstorm – BNN Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — South Africa's N3 highway has reopened to traffic after a two-day closure due to heavy snowfall that stranded motorists in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State provinces.

The transport authorities have completely cleared the vehicle backlog and restored mobility on the route between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith, the N3 Toll Concession said in a statement.

“Although the road is now safe enough for traffic, we remind drivers to plan ahead and be prepared for all eventualities,” said Thania Dhoogra, Chief Operating Officer of N3TC.

The storm, described as highly unusual for this time of year in South Africa, brought thick snow, black ice and traffic congestion at the Van Reenen Pass, and a 30-kilometre-long traffic jam was reported near Harrismith. Two people died of hypothermia, emergency services said.

In addition to transport disruptions, the snowfall has also caused concern among livestock farmers in the affected provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Eastern Cape.

“The type of support farmers need will become clearer as road conditions improve and the scale of the challenge is better understood,” said Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Chamber of Agriculture.

The exact impact of the storm on agriculture is still unclear, but authorities are closely monitoring the situation, Sihlobo said.

(Updated to reflect in the first paragraph that the highway has been opened.)

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