Two people killed in rare South Africa snowstorm

By The Travel

September 25, 2024 | 11:30 AM  ET |

It’s no surprise that there is a significant change in weather patterns worldwide that are affecting countries in the most unusual and albeit terrifying ways globally. Changes in the earth’s temperatures, weather patterns, and natural disasters are evident from major flooding in parts of Europe to scorching temperatures across continents.

And, South Africa is not immune to the wrath of climate change or global warming. A powerful, deadly, and rare snowstorm struck the region on Friday, 20 September, continuing through the weekend. Heavy snowfall fell in the area, creating deadly ice patches on highways in the mountain passes of KwaZulu-Natal, between Johannesburg and Durban, leaving motorists stranded for more than two days in below-freezing temperatures, resulting in the death of two people due to severe hypothermia.

Emergency Services Rescue Attempts Thwarted By Dangerous Road Conditions From Heavy Snow & Ice

In conditions such as this, cell phone service is nonexistent, making attempts to reach police, fire, and rescue for assistance extremely difficult. While reports flooded emergency service lines about lives in danger from family members concerned about their loved ones, rescuing the individuals stranded along the motorways proved unachievable.

Rescue vehicles were blocked by several feet of snow and ice for three days, hampering rescue attempts and making it extremely difficult and precarious to reach stranded bystanders. By Monday, reports of the N3 Highway and other roads connecting both cities stated all vehicles, snow, and ice had been cleared from the area.

Are We Any Closer To Finding A Solution To Climate Change & Global Warming?

With numerous climate change events being held and attended globally throughout the year, crucial questions must be asked. Are we any closer to a resolution to stopping these disasters from happening in the future? Can we stop climate change and global warming from continuing, or have we missed the opportunity to save our planet?

According to the World Meteorological Organization, Africa could see above-normal temperatures this year, begging the question: What would cause this unexpected, freak snowstorm in South Africa that created such a frigid and dangerous environment for residents and travelers?

Unpredictable, and deadly, wild weather conditions are becoming a part of our everyday life due to climate change and global warming, affecting the planet globally.