At Least 49 People Confirmed Dead Due to Flooding in South Africa
South Africa faces a tragic flooding crisis, with at least 49 confirmed deaths in the Eastern Cape province. Rescue operations continue as search efforts expand for the missing, including students caught in floodwaters. The infrastructure damage is extensive, affecting schools and hospitals, and leading to widespread homelessness.
At least 49 fatalities have been confirmed in flooding incidents across South Africa, particularly impacting the Eastern Cape province, which is one of the country’s least affluent areas. Officials anticipate that the death toll may increase as rescue teams search for more missing persons. Many were swept away in the rush of water that struck this mainly rural region early Tuesday.
The flooding was triggered by a severe weather system that brought heavy rains, strong winds, and even snow to parts of South Africa. According to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, this disaster is among the worst his province has encountered. “I have never seen something like this,” he expressed during a press conference, indicating the overwhelming nature of the situation.
The tragedy was compounded by the loss of six students who were aboard a school bus that was engulfed by the floodwaters near Mthatha. Four additional students remain unaccounted for. Rescuers managed to reach three of the students who were clinging to trees in desperation. Tragically, a driver and another adult who were with the bus did not survive.
As search and recovery operations continue into a third day, authorities have remained vague about the size of the still-missing population. Notably, the provincial government is coordinating with families to ascertain who has yet to return home. Mudslides have also been reported as disaster response teams mobilize in both Eastern Cape and neighboring KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the National Disaster Management Center is collaborating with local officials to address the aftermath of this extreme weather event. Mabuyane described the widespread devastation, with power outages affecting countless residents. Many families are now homeless due to their homes being destroyed or severely damaged in the floods.
The floods have had a particularly harsh impact on infrastructure, damaging more than 58 schools and 20 hospitals primarily in and around Mthatha. Once the rain diminished, a grim aftermath revealed cars and other debris scattered across the landscape as waters began to recede. South Africa frequently faces threats from severe weather systems stemming from the Indian and Southern Oceans. In fact, over 400 fatalities were recorded last year during similar flooding events in the city of Durban and its vicinity.
In such severe weather crises, it is often the impoverished communities living in informal housing that bear the brunt of the devastation. These areas typically experience the highest rates of fatalities when disaster strikes.
Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.
The severe flooding in South Africa has led to at least 49 confirmed deaths, primarily affecting the Eastern Cape region. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing as families wait for news of their missing loved ones. The disaster has resulted in significant damage to infrastructure and left many people homeless. As the nation grapples with this tragedy, officials stress the impact of severe weather on vulnerable communities.
Original Source: baynews9.com
