Flooding in South Africa Leaves 49 Dead, Search Efforts Ongoing
At least 49 people are confirmed dead from severe flooding in Eastern Cape, South Africa, with expectations for the toll to rise as recovery efforts continue. The floods struck after heavy rains, causing significant damage to homes, schools, and hospitals, particularly in the township of Mthatha. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate missing individuals, amid widespread infrastructure challenges.
At least 49 people are confirmed dead in the aftermath of severe flooding that has struck South Africa, particularly impacting the Eastern Cape province, where search and rescue operations continue. Officials expect these numbers to rise as recovery efforts progress. The floods began during the early hours of Tuesday when a strong weather system brought intense rainfall, high winds, and even snowfall in some areas.
“As we speak here, other bodies are being discovered,” Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane mentioned in a news briefing, labeling this disaster as one of the worst weather events the province has faced. He expressed disbelief at the extent of the devastation, stating, “I have never seen something like this.”
Among the deceased are six students who tragically lost their lives when their school bus was engulfed by floodwaters near Mthatha, a town severely impacted by the flooding. Officials have reported that four other students remain unaccounted for. Earlier on Wednesday, rescuers found the abandoned bus, but distressingly, three students had to be rescued from treetops where they clung for safety.
Search and rescue teams are on their third day of operations as they methodically work to establish the number of individuals still missing. Authorities have kept families informed as they attempt to compile a comprehensive list of those unaccounted for. Disaster response teams have mobilized in both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in reaction to the torrential downpour and snowfall that affected the region over the weekend.
Furthermore, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the National Disaster Management Center is collaborating with local authorities to address the ramifications of this severe weather event. Eastern Cape has experienced extreme cold fronts leading to unusual snowfalls in various provinces including KwaZulu-Natal.
Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to the families impacted by the floods, characterizing the situation as one of “devastation.” The floods have also caused power outages that affected hundreds of thousands in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with significant damage reported to the infrastructure.
According to officials, many families have been left homeless, requiring temporary shelter after losing their homes to the flooding, and numerous schools and hospitals have sustained damage. In Mthatha and its surrounding districts, streets and homes are submerged, with vehicles and debris littering the landscape as waters slowly recede.
The recurrence of such severe weather patterns raises concerns about the vulnerability of South Africa’s poorer communities often hit hardest by natural disasters, where informal housing leads to higher casualty rates. Last year, flooding in Durban and its vicinity resulted in over 400 fatalities due to similar extraordinary weather conditions.
The floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province have left at least 49 confirmed dead, with the toll expected to rise. As authorities search for missing individuals and assess the damage, the disaster highlights ongoing concerns regarding infrastructure and vulnerability in poorer areas. President Ramaphosa’s message of condolence underlines the severe impact of such extreme weather events as communities begin recovery efforts.
Original Source: baynews9.com
