Motorists stranded in snow

2006-08-16 10:39

Johannesburg - Heavy rains and snow in the Eastern Cape have prompted rescue efforts to save stranded motorists and warnings of roof collapses.

Cars and trucks littered snow-dusted roads in the northern part of Eastern Cape on Wednesday, while steady rains made driving conditions in the Transkei perilous, SABC radio reported.

A rescue mission was launched to save those trapped by snow in mountainous Lesotho.

Heavy snowfalls

Arrive Alive warned roofs of houses and businesses are in danger of collapsing under the weight of snow in Barkly East and Elliot in the Eastern Cape.

"The snow is still very heavy and there is a possibility that roofs may collapse," said Arrive Alive spokesperson Tshepo Machaea.

The area saw heavy snow falls through the night.

Roads closed

Machaea said the R58 between Barkly East and Elliot would be closed to traffic on Wednesday morning.

Disaster teams and traffic authorities were using graders to clear snow off the road.

"But it is very, very cold and the snow is very thick. We are not sure when the snow will be cleared," Machaea said.

No power in Elliot

Elliot was plunged into darkness on Tuesday night after a loud explosion, possible from a substation, was heard.

Roads in parts of Mount Fletcher and between Matatiele and Quchasnek - the road connecting the Eastern Cape and Lesotho - were also closed to traffic.

Rock falls

Machaea also warned motorists in the northern parts of the province to drive cautiously as rock falls had been reported.

He said snow had been cleared off the N9 between Middelburg and Graaff-Reinet and the R61 between Cradock and Graaff-Reinet.

"Those roads are now open. Motorists are being allowed back onto them," said Machaea.

Earlier this month, floods caused by torrential rains claimed at least six lives in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, where more than 7 000 people had to be evacuated from 1 500 homes.

Reuters and Sapa

- News24