Cold weather brings unexpected snow and fire tragedies
Cold weather has gripped South Africa, with high-altitude regions experiencing snowfall and icy winds due to plunging temperatures engulfing the province. Three people in Johannesburg perished in the fires due to unsafe heating, turning the bitter weather into a deadly situation.
Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson, Nana Radebe-Kgiba, told SABC NEWS that the deaths were connected to paraffin stoves and open-flame braziers. In just two months, Johannesburg has seen over 300 winter fire emergencies, and officials warn that the number could increase.
The Weather Service has issued alerts for regions affected by the cold front. According to meteorologist Edward Engelbrecht, a low-pressure system is drawing sub-Antarctic air inland, making the colder weather worse.
While urban areas, including Johannesburg, experience extreme frost and wind chill, mountainous regions are likely to experience snowfall.
Several fires have broken out in Gauteng because of the cold weather. Most occurred in informal settlements where people use unsafe methods to heat their homes. Materials that catch fire easily and are unable to provide safe energy put communities at risk of death.
At the same time, the cold front makes travelling dangerous all over South Africa. Officials are urging the nation to avoid nonessential travel and to put fire and road safety first.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
6 hours ago
- eNCA
Death toll in Eastern Cape floods rises to 49
MTHATHA, Eastern Cape - The death toll from flooding in the Eastern Cape has risen to 49, including four children on a school bus that was swept away, a provincial governor said Wednesday. Heavy rainfall, snow and cold winds have particularly affected areas of the Eastern Cape province, with most of the country experiencing brutal winter weather conditions since last week. "As of now, the stats have escalated to 49 deaths," Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, citing police figures. The dead included four children on a school minibus bus carrying 13 people that was swept away by a flood near the city of Mthatha, Mabuyane said. "Sadly, four of those learners have been confirmed to be deceased, together with the driver and the conductor of the minibus taxi," he said. "Four learners are still missing and are still being looked for." Three others had been found alive, he said. Mabuyane did not give details of the other victims of the severe winter storm and said the situation was evolving. "Search and recovery operations are continuing across all affected areas," he said. The torrential rains over recent days, which also caused landslides, had forced hundreds of families to leave their homes and "significant damage on critical infrastructures", he said. On Tuesday, three children were rescued after spending hours in trees to escape rising waters, authorities said. Lack of resources Several hundred people had been displaced since Monday, mainly from OR Tambo and Amathole districts, with some moved to schools and town halls. Mabuyane told public broadcaster SABC News earlier that only one helicopter was available in the province. "We need more resources," he said. "We have never experienced disasters like this but now it's inevitable with climate change and global warming." President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that harsh winter conditions "remain life-threatening" adding that emergency services, including support from the National Disaster Management Centre, were "giving the requisite attention to crises as they unfold". He called on South Africans "to display caution, care and cooperation as the worst impacts of winter weather take effect". South Africa's national weather service has warned that severe and extreme winter weather conditions would persist until at least the middle of this week. Snow and heavy rainfall are common during winter in South Africa but the country is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and change, which increases the frequency and severity of drought, floods and wildfires, according to the Green Climate Fund.
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
DEVELOPING: Death toll from Eastern Cape floods jumps to 49
The death toll from flooding in the Eastern Cape has risen to 49, including four children on a school bus that was swept away, a provincial governor said on Wednesday. 'As of now, the stats have escalated to 49 deaths,' Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, citing police figures. The bodies of four children who were on a bus swept away by a flood near the city of Mthatha have been recovered, but another four are still missing, he said. This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Estcourt school suspends classes after strong winds collapse roof
Strong winds have been sweeping across KwaZulu-Natal, causing significant damage, including the partial collapse of Ntabamhlophe Primary School in the KwaDlamini area. As a result, the school has suspended all classes until Tuesday next week (June 17), citing safety concerns. The roof collapsed early morning yesterday (June 10), before the school gates were opened. As a result, no one was injured. According to a report obtained from the school, it was a 'stroke of luck' that the school's security guard had not yet opened the gates. He was unwell and had been delayed, preventing the learners from entering the premises before the structure gave way. Also read: Gqom Gang crowned regional league champions Parents and community members gathered at the school today for an emergency meeting to discuss the damage and the way forward. The school has issued an appeal to the community to help clear the collapsed roof and debris as they prepare for the safe return of learners next week. Learners whose classrooms were affected will be accommodated in other blocks while repairs are underway. Here are some photos of the KwaDlamini Hall, which was also badly damaged: Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
