Death Toll Rises as Devastating Floods Hit Eastern Cape, South Africa

At least 49 people confirmed dead in South Africa’s Eastern Cape floods with expectations of a rising toll. Severe weather led to significant casualties, including schoolchildren. Rescues continue amid widespread destruction, including homes and schools.

In South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, devastating floods have resulted in at least 49 confirmed fatalities as of Wednesday. Officials are warning that this number may increase as search efforts continue for those who remain missing. The floods began early on Tuesday, a product of a fierce weather front that brought heavy rains, strong winds, and snow to various regions of the province, which is known for its rural landscape.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane expressed concerns at a news briefing, noting that this disaster ranks among the worst he has encountered. “As we speak here, other bodies are being discovered,” he stated, reflecting on the scale of the tragedy. Tragically, among the dead were six high school students who were swept away when their school bus was engulfed by floodwaters near Mthatha, the area most affected by the severe weather.

Authorities have reported that four additional students remain unaccounted for, although three were rescued on Tuesday, found grasping trees in distress. The school bus was later discovered abandoned, leading the rescue teams to continue their grim search for missing individuals. Premier Mabuyane confirmed a driver and another adult were also among the fatalities.

As of Thursday, search and rescue operations are ongoing with teams working diligently to locate missing persons, although exact numbers remain uncertain. Provincial government officials are collaborating with families to ascertain who has not been accounted for. Disaster response initiatives have been mobilized in the Eastern Cape, as well as in neighboring KwaZulu-Natal, due to the harsh weather conditions that have affected the region since the weekend.

In a statement, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the crisis, highlighting the efforts of the National Disaster Management Center and local authorities. He extended his condolences to bereaved families, labeling the situation as “devastation.” The adverse weather has disrupted power supply to hundreds of thousands of households across Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, further exacerbating the impact of the floods.

Reports indicate that many residents have been left homeless and are residing in temporary shelters as their homes were destroyed or heavily damaged. At least 58 schools and 20 hospitals have also suffered considerable damage due to the floods, primarily affecting Mthatha and its surrounding areas. The aftermath has shown houses submerged, with cars and debris scattered across the landscape as waters recede.

South Africa’s vulnerability to extreme weather events is notable, particularly when harsh fronts move in from the Indian and Southern Oceans. In similar circumstances last year, flooding in Durban claimed over 400 lives, primarily affecting economically disadvantaged regions. These areas, often characterized by informal housing structures, bear the brunt and account for the majority of fatalities during such disasters.

In summary, the Eastern Cape province of South Africa is grappling with severe flooding that has claimed at least 49 lives, with numbers likely to rise. Search and rescue operations are in full swing as families seek closure for their missing loved ones. As the community begins to cope with the repercussions, officials are stressing the need for heightened disaster response and support for those severely affected. This reminds us once again of the vulnerability of impoverished areas to extreme weather events.

Original Source: baynews9.com