South Africa has declared a national disaster after torrential rain and flooding killed at least 30 people in the country’s north and caused widespread damage to homes, roads, and bridges.
The declaration, announced by the government, is meant to help national authorities coordinate the response as multiple provinces report impacts from severe weather.
National disaster declaration targets coordinated response
The national disaster declaration was made by the head of South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre and announced by the government. It allows the national government to coordinate the response to the disaster.
Officials said the worst impacts have been felt in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where the reported deaths occurred. The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs also said at least three other provinces have been affected by the severe weather.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga report deaths and major damage
Authorities said the flooding and heavy rain damaged thousands of homes and washed away roads and bridges. In Limpopo, the provincial premier said the weather caused around $240 million in damage, with many houses and buildings washed away completely.
A statement cited by Prensa Latina said the greatest impacts were recorded in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, and it also referred to missing people following the torrential downpours.
Kruger National Park closures and evacuations
The floods in northern South Africa led to the closure of Kruger National Park. Officials also evacuated hundreds of tourists and staff members from flooded camps to other parts of the park, according to the reporting.
Prensa Latina also reported that the downpours contributed to the park’s closure and said hundreds of tourists were evacuated from the area, citing television media.
President Ramaphosa orders support measures
After visiting affected areas in Mpumalanga, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the Ministry of Finance and other agencies to provide assistance, according to Prensa Latina’s report.
Prensa Latina said the president also directed agencies to implement a “get-to-work” strategy for disasters in various territories, as reported by the digital newspaper Eyewitness News. The same report said he instructed rescue teams to continue relief efforts in damaged areas.
Wider regional rainfall affecting neighboring countries
Government reporting cited by 1News said parts of South Africa, as well as neighboring Mozambique and Zimbabwe, have experienced heavy rains for weeks. According to the same report, more than 100 people have died across the three countries since the rains began late last year.
The 1News report said those conditions led to severe flooding in central and southern Mozambique and northern South Africa.
Recent flood history in South Africa
The 1News report noted that more than 100 people died in floods last year in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. It also said more than 400 people died in flooding in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province in 2022.
Prensa Latina similarly reported that more than a hundred civilians were killed and thousands were injured in storms last year in the Eastern Cape province.
