President Ramaphosa Visits Flood-Stricken Areas Amid Rising Death…

President Cyril Ramaphosa visits Mthatha as death toll from floods reaches 78. Rescue efforts ongoing with expectations of more casualties. Criticism arises over slow response and inadequate resources. Many victims were in poor, flood-prone areas. Recovery teams search for survivors in receding waters.

CAPETOWN, South Africa — The aftermath of devastating floods that have swept through the southeastern part of the country has left at least 78 confirmed dead. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mthatha in the Eastern Cape province, which bore the brunt of the disaster that began early Tuesday. Rescue teams are still scouring the area for survivors and the death toll is expected to rise as recovery efforts continue into the fourth day.

During his visit, Ramaphosa attended briefings organized by officials from the National Disaster Management Center. He went to a bridge where a school bus had been tragically washed away. Six schoolchildren, along with the bus driver and another adult, were confirmed dead; however, four other students remain missing. The president’s visit highlights increased scrutiny of the government’s disaster response, especially given the extreme weather conditions that had been forecast prior to the floods.

The floods were caused by a severe weather system, which brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and even snow to various areas in the Eastern Cape. Yet, officials pointed to shortcomings in the emergency response, particularly in resources like specialized search teams and rescue equipment. Premier Oscar Mabuyane noted that the province, home to 7.2 million people, had just one official rescue helicopter. This aerial resource had to be flown in from over 500 kilometers away.

Despite these challenges, Ramaphosa expressed relief that the situation could have been worse, given the massive scale of the floods that struck in the predawn hours. Many people were caught off guard as water surged into their homes, ultimately washing away entire structures and their contents. Thankfully, the rain has ceased and floodwaters are beginning to recede.

As search and rescue operations continue, authorities believe more bodies can be recovered, especially with many still missing. Zinathi Vuso, a Mthatha resident, shared the trauma of witnessing the disaster. “I need psychological help because I saw people dying in front of me… dragged by the water with the corrugated iron,” Vuso recounted. This reveals a grim reality for survivors as they grapple with the aftermath of their loss.

As search teams comb through neighborhoods and areas up to 2 kilometers from the flood zones, residents are urged to report missing persons. Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, leading a national government team in the province, warned, “We are in a crisis. A real disaster. The more water subsides, the more people will be found.”

Coastal regions of South Africa, especially along the Indian Ocean, are notoriously vulnerable to extreme weather events. Back in 2022, floods around Durban led to the deaths of over 400 individuals. This time, informal housing in flood-prone areas appears to bear the brunt of the damage, with government sources indicating that marginalized communities suffered the most during the storm.

The floods in Eastern Cape have inflicted significant loss of life and infrastructure, with the death count expected to climb. President Ramaphosa’s visit highlights the urgent need for a more effective disaster response. As search and rescue continue, recovery efforts are underway to find the missing and support grieving communities. The impact of climate-related disasters on vulnerable populations remains a critical concern for South Africa.

Original Source: www.wral.com