Severe winter weather swept across Eastern Cape, South Africa, on Tuesday, cutting power to an estimated 300,000 properties across 13 towns. The combination of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and persistent rain led to significant infrastructure damage and widespread disruption.
According to reports from News24 and local authorities, the storm has affected large portions of the province, particularly areas connected to Eskom’s power grid. Eskom, the country’s electricity supplier, cited “hazardous conditions” as the reason for delays in restoring supply to the affected towns.
The following municipalities have experienced the most severe power outage
These towns are either partially or entirely without electricity as Eskom crews assess the damage and initiate repair protocols.
This extreme weather event is one of several that have battered the Eastern Cape over the past year. As part of a wider pattern of climate volatility, the storm is attributed to a strong cold front originating from the south Atlantic, bringing unusually heavy snowfall to inland regions that rarely see snow.
Eskom stated: “Due to extremely unsafe conditions, some areas are inaccessible, delaying repair efforts.”
the following disruptions have been reported:
Teams from Eskom have been deployed to the region and are currently making areas safe before restoring power. Technicians are prioritizing critical infrastructure like hospitals, communication towers, and water treatment facilities.
The utility has urged residents to remain patient and stay away from downed power lines. They also encourage the use of official apps and hotlines to report faults.
| Impact Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| Properties Without electricity | ≈ 300,000 |
| Affected Municipalities | 13 |
| Reported Fatalities from June Floods | 98–101 |
| electricity Restoration Time (Estimate) | 24–72 hours |
Authorities advise people in the Eastern Cape to take the following precautions:
The recent energy interruption serves as a stark reminder of South Africa’s ongoing energy challenges. With Eskom already under pressure from aging infrastructure and frequent load shedding, extreme weather disruptions such as this snowstorm only worsen the situation. Analysts warn that unless the national grid is modernized and made more resilient, regions like the Eastern Cape will continue to face prolonged outages during climatic events. Moreover, the increasing frequency of such natural disasters points to the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies within South Africa’s energy sector.
Below are some images capturing the devastation:
Eastern Cape underscores the fragility of infrastructure in the face of severe weather. While Eskom’s crews work around the clock to restore electricity, residents are urged to exercise caution and resilience. As climate change amplifies such events, preparedness and community coordination will be increasingly vital.
Stay tuned for more verified updates as the situation evolves.
Article by OpenAI | Sources: News24, Eskom, South African Weather Service (SAWS), Wikipedia
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