South Africa struck by snow, floods and winds of the breadcrumbs, causing chaos

A minibus carrying students has been swept away by a heavy flood in South Africa, a spokesman for the East Cape Government told the BBC.

Khuselwa Rantjie said it is not clear how many children are on the bus, but three have been found alive so far. The rescue efforts were stopped as the night fell and would resume on Wednesday, she added.

In a separate incident, the bodies of seven people carried by flooded water were found in the province or Tambo area.

South Africa is affected by heavy snow, rains and winds of the forces of breadcrumbs, which took the lives of five more people in a road accident and left nearly 500,000 homes without electricity.

The Eastern Nose-Mate of the Anti-Parteid icon Nelson Mandela is affected by the worst of the icy conditions, along with the province of Quazulu Naal.

Bad weather forced the closure of some major roads in the two provinces to avoid more victims.

“This is a devastating reminder of the power of nature. We urge everyone to exercise additional caution in areas prone to flooding,” Eastern Cape Prime Minister Mabuine said in a statement.

Five people were killed when a minibus taxi turned near the coastal city of East London, with the driver saying he had lost control while trying to avoid a fallen tree, spokesman for the Eastern Cape Transport Division, Unan Binkose, told the BBC.

Two people were injured in the accident, he added.

The state -owned Energy Company Eskom said nearly 300,000 homes were affected by electrical cuts in 14 cities and villages in East Cape.

Another 196,000 homes in 24 districts in Quazulu Naral were also experiencing power supply, Eskom spokesman Daphne Mokna told the BBC.

The Minister of Transport of Quazulu Nalnal Siboniso Duma said that heavy snow had led to trucks on the roads, causing huge traffic jams.

The city machines are located on the most affected roads to clear snow before reaching over 30 cm (12 inches) in depth.

The meteorologist Lehlochonolo Tobella also warned of strong winds and heavy waves in the sea, which impedes navigation for ships.

Both Eastern Cape and Quazulu Naral are along the coast.

South Africa regularly receives snowfall during its winter months, from June to August, with temperatures diving below 0B (32F).

There is also a regular flood and scientists say that climate change causes larger rainfall in the region.

Lightning floods and overflowing rivers between April 30 and May 2 Causes of significant damage to about 4,500 homes and left 18 people injured.