Johannesburg – At least 18 people have died in flooding caused by torrential rain on South Africa’s eastern coast, local authorities said on Tuesday.
At least seven died in Eastern Cape province, a spokesperson from Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, at the heart of the floods, told AFP.
And the provincial government in neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal said at least 11 people have died in and around the port city of Durban.
A tornado hit the Tongaat, in Kwazulu Natal last night displacing 1200 people watch the news and see how the houses were destroyed. Keep this community in your prayers and the people of the Eastern Cape as they are battered by the floods that have led to the loss of lives. pic.twitter.com/S4xtPX9Y29
— carlosmesquita (@rehomingcarlos) June 4, 2024
More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from Nelson Mandela Bay, notably from makeshift homes in the municipality’s slums.
Local authorities launched an appeal for donations of clothing, food and blankets.
Provincial authorities declared a state of alert in KwaZulu-Natal.
A provincial government statement said “55 people suffered minor to moderate injuries and are receiving medical treatment in hospital.
“At least 120 people have been displaced and three temporary shelters have been established,” it added.
Durban and its surrounding area was in 2022 the site of the worst flooding in South Africa’s history, which provoked mudslides that killed more than 400 people .
Rescue services were deployed in both affected provinces on Monday night.
Homes were flattened, roads flooded and trees felled.
Some places suffered energy blackouts.
The national meteorological institute says South Africa is in the grip of a “cut off low” pressure system marked by heavy rains and a cold snap that can also bring hail, snow and strong winds.
Heavy rainfall has hit the eastern Indian Ocean coast, and meteorological services have published weather alerts in four of the southern African country’s nine provinces.
WATCH | Devastating floods rock Eastern Cape, KZN… 12 people dead
Cape Town – Twelve people have died in flooding caused by torrential rain on South Africa’s eastern coast, local authorities said on Monday.
In Eastern Cape province, “the death toll is currently sitting at seven,” a spokesperson from Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, at the heart of the floods, told AFP.
More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from Nelson Mandela Bay, notably from makeshift homes in the municipality’s slums.
Local authorities launched an appeal for donations of clothing, food and blankets.
Floods Wreak Havoc in Uitenhage and Greenbushes
Uitenhage and Greenbushes, Eastern Cape – A devastating flood has swept through the area, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement in its wake. The flood has resulted in widespread road closures, with at least 8 roads… pic.twitter.com/OZ7KmzV8Up
— SA REPORTS (@MARIUSBROODRYK) June 2, 2024
Near the port city of Durban in neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal province, “five people have sadly lost their lives in the eThekwini Metro, which has been hardest hit, and dozens of people are being treated for injuries in health care facilities”, the provincial government said in a statement.
Provincial authorities declared a state of alert in KwaZulu-Natal.
Durban and its surrounding area was in 2022 the site of the worst flooding in South Africa’s history, which provoked mudslides that killed more than 400 people and caused several millions of dollars worth of damage.
Rescue services were deployed in both affected provinces on Monday night.
Images supplied by authorities show flattened homes, flooded roads and felled trees.
Eastern Cape Flood update:
05:57
02 June 2024There following road closures in uitenhage and Greenbushes apply:
Blue Horizon Bay the road is flooded, is not accessible.
– Stock and Daniel Pienaar
– Algoa Rd.
– Cuyler Str
– North and Graaf Reinet
– Vanderick and Taylor pic.twitter.com/xeIukcIpud— 🔞 SA911 (@Zulu72944051488) June 2, 2024
Some places suffered energy blackouts.
The national meteorological institute says South Africa is in the grip of a “cut off low” pressure system marked by heavy rains and a cold snap that can also bring hail, snow and strong winds.
Heavy rainfall has hit the eastern Indian Ocean coast, and meteorological services have published weather alerts in four of the southern African country’s nine provinces.
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Source: AFP
Picture: X/@SiwaMbara
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