Eskom has restored electricity to around 40 000 KwaZulu‑Natal residents after outages linked to heavy rain and snow, but warned that some areas remain without power as technical teams continue to repair weather‑related faults.
Areas restored and teams still at work
The utility said power had been reconnected for customers in Kokstad, Franklin, Nottingham Road, Underberg, Pietermaritzburg, Margate, Estcourt and Empangeni. Teams are continuing restoration work in other affected parts of the province.
Eskom added that access to several communities is still hampered by road closures caused by adverse weather, and technicians are on standby to attend to faults as soon as it is safe to do so. The company warned that further outages remain possible while the poor weather persists, and that restoring supply could take longer than usual under the conditions.
Safety advice for residents
As crews work in challenging conditions, Eskom urged residents to treat all electrical installations as live and to keep clear of fallen cables and damaged infrastructure. The utility reiterated basic safety precautions to minimise harm while restoration is under way.
- Do not touch downed power lines or anything in contact with them.
- Keep a safe distance and report fallen cables to Eskom or local authorities.
- Use battery‑powered lighting rather than candles to reduce fire risk.
- Switch off dangerous appliances and unplug what you can to protect equipment from surges when power returns.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, particularly in areas still without power.
Weather driving outages
The restoration operation follows a spell of severe winter weather across parts of South Africa. Snowfall in high‑lying areas, heavy rain and strong winds have contributed to faults on the distribution network, while some roads remain closed—delaying crews travelling to affected substations and lines.
Local municipalities and emergency services have also warned that coastal winds and rough seas could disrupt services along the coast. In KZN, towns inland and along the coast have been intermittently affected as the system moves through the province.
What residents can expect next
Eskom said its technical teams are prioritising faults that restore the largest number of customers first, but that isolated and remote communities may face longer interruptions due to access restrictions and the complexity of repairs. The utility emphasised that its crews will attend to faults as soon as conditions permit.
| Town / Area | Reported status |
|---|---|
| Kokstad | Power restored |
| Franklin | Power restored |
| Nottingham Road | Power restored |
| Underberg | Power restored |
| Pietermaritzburg | Power restored |
| Margate | Power restored |
| Estcourt | Power restored |
| Empangeni | Power restored |
While Eskom has named the areas where supply has been returned, it did not provide a full list of locations still affected or an exact timetable for complete restoration across the province.
Local impact and wider context
Power outages during extreme weather can disrupt healthcare, schooling, telecommunications and small businesses, and increase the risk to households using alternative heating and lighting. Local clinics, pharmacies and community support networks often activate contingency plans to help residents, particularly those needing medical equipment that requires electricity.
Municipalities are typically responsible for local distribution and co‑ordinate with Eskom where infrastructure crosses provincial or municipal boundaries. In situations where roads are impassable, municipalities and emergency services may also assist with prioritising essential services and welfare support.
Residents seeking updates were advised to follow Eskom’s official channels and local municipal notices for the latest information on outages, road closures and safety instructions.
As technicians continue to work in difficult conditions, the immediate priorities remain restoring supply where it can be done safely and protecting communities from the hazards posed by damaged electrical infrastructure.
