Cold Weather as Mountain Districts get Snowfalls

Heavy snowfalls bringing freezing weather, some more than 30 centimetres deep, are reported to have fallen in the Botha Bothe, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek and Quthing districts of the country, blocking access to the regions though the  towns that have tarred roads are still reachable. 

Qacha's Nek had snow over 30 centimetres deep, reported to have started on July 27, breaking road links between the district and the rest of the country. District Secretary, Mr. Lekhotla Ts'iane said only the road between Qacha's Nek and Ha Sekake is accessible because it is tarred. He has warned people intending to travel to Qacha's Nek not to do so until the situation stabilises, to avoid being trapped in the district.

The snowfall has caused problems including electrical power failure, cut telecommunications and in some cases students being unable to go to schools. But it would also help improve agricultural production in
the district, providing enough moisture for summer cropping, he said.

Disaster Management Authority (DMA) nutrition officer Miss Moliehi Mabula said there had so far there been no reported accidents, even from the cattle posts. She said the Sehlabathebe is currently not accessible by road and advised people not to travel to the area, especially since the snow was continuing to fall.

Quthing also reported heavy snows hindering vehicular movement between Mount-Moorosi and
Mphaki. In an interview, Senior Superintendent 'Mankatso Ntene of the Quthing police said the snow is also obstructing movement between Qacha's Nek, Quthing and the lowlands.

Senior Superintendent Ntene said heavy snow is currently being experienced in different areas, including Mphaki, Fika-le-Mahloana, Tsatsane, Bolahla, Dilli-Dilli and Sinxondo.

28 July 2004