RTMC warns motorists as icy snow and flooding hit EC and KZN

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged motorists to be extremely cautious while travelling through the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal amid wet, icy conditions and freezing temperatures. The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued orange level 5 warnings for disruptive snow and orange level 6 warnings for disruptive snow, with conditions potentially causing flooding of bridges, roads, and settlements, infrastructure damage, and icy road conditions. Orange level 5 and 6 warnings issued for disruptive snow and rain The weather conditions are forecast through the Eastern Cape highlights, the Drakensberg region of KwaZulu-Natal, and routes towards Lesotho.

The Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said rainfall was anticipated in specific areas within the Great Kei, Mbashe, Mnquma, King Sabatha Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, Port St Johns, and Winnie Madikizela Mandela municipalities. The disruptive snowfall is over the Walter Sisulu, Enoch Mgijima, Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, and Umzimvubu local municipalities. “We advise all individuals to implement necessary precautions and to monitor regular weather updates disseminated through radio and social media channels,” Eastern Cape Cogta said.

The KwaZulu-Natal Cogta said disruptive rain will affect Big Five Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, eThekwini, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Mtubatuba, Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, uMhlathuze, uMlalazi and Umzumbe. Conditions create hazardous driving – RTMC “Heavy and persistent rainfall is expected across parts of KwaZulu-Natal, with the potential to cause widespread flooding of roads, bridges and settlements, damage to infrastructure and mud-based homes, disruption to essential services, and dangerous conditions near rivers and streams,” KZN Cogta said. RTMC said the conditions are expected to create hazardous driving conditions, particularly on mountain passes, high-altitude routes and major transport corridors.

“Motorists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas and to remain alert for possible road closures, reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces,” the corporation said. RTMC appealed to all motorists to observe the following road safety measures: Reduce speed and drive according to the prevailing weather and road conditions. Increase the following distance between vehicles to allow sufficient stopping time.

Avoid sudden braking, harsh accele… Disruptive rain and snow have been forecast for parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with very cold weather expected in southern Free State and along the Lesotho borders on Wednesday, 29 July. Here is what weather to expect, according to the South African Weather Service (Saws).

Weather warnings for 29 July 2026 Impact-based warnings The weather service has issued an orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain resulting in flooding of bridge, roads or settlements and damage to property or infrastructure in places along the coast and adjacent interior between East London in the Eastern Cape and Cape Vidal in KwaZulu-Natal. An orange level 5 warning has been issued for disruptive snow resulting in traffic disruptions, disruption to essential services and some communities temporarily cut off in places over the extreme northeastern high ground of the Eastern Cape. Similar disruptions are expected in places over the northeastern high ground of the Eastern Cape and the Drakensberg area in KwaZulu-Natal under a yellow level 4 warning for disruptive snow.