Disaster officials on alert as temps drop

The South African Weather Service say the severe cold snap is being caused by a cut-off low pressure system, which's been accompanied by thunderstorms, snow, and damaging winds.

The weather service's Nhlanhla Sithole says they've issued several warnings:

"Over the southern parts of KZN there's an orange level five warning still for damaging interior winds that might result in injuries and danger to life from flying debris that might also result in damage of infrastructure that is settlements, formal or informal, but also result in loss of agricultural products.

“Some structural damage and transport routes and travel services will also be affected by wind or fallen trees."

There is another warning for damaging winds along the coast that could reach severe gale-force speeds of around 80km/h

"We have a Yellow Level 4 for our coastal areas. That would be because of damaging winds and waves and that might disrupt some small harbours or ports. Some vessels might be at risk of taking on water and capsizing and a locality that might also result in difficulty navigation as well as disruption of beach front activities."

READ: Cold weather blankets the whole country

Meanwhile, KZN COGTA's Senzelwe Mzila says warnings about potentially disruptive snowfall could lead to road closures and the loss of vulnerable livestock and crops:

"Level 2 Warning for snow expected in areas around the Drakensberg mountains, including Underberg, Kokstad, Impendle, Inkosi Langalibalele, Mpofana, Okhahlamba, Umuziwabantu, and uMzimkhulu.

Plans are in place to deal with any eventualities arising from the inclement weather. The department is working closely with Eskom and municipalities to ensure that technical teams respond swiftly to any power line disruptions caused by heavy rains, snow, and damaging winds."