South Africa has declared a national disaster as torrential rains unleash deadly floods across its northern provinces. The catastrophic weather event has already claimed at least 30 lives in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, leaving a trail of destruction that includes thousands of damaged homes and vital infrastructure like roads and bridges washed away.
The severity of the situation prompted the national government to step in, allowing for a coordinated response to the widespread crisis. While Limpopo and Mpumalanga bear the brunt, at least three other provinces are also struggling with the extreme conditions. The human and economic toll is immense; Limpopo province alone estimates damages exceeding $240 million.
This isn’t just a national crisis; the heavy rains have battered parts of neighboring Mozambique and Zimbabwe for weeks, contributing to a regional death toll of over 100 people since late last year. The impact is far-reaching, even forcing the temporary closure and evacuation of hundreds from the world-renowned Kruger National Park, though it’s now set to reopen.
Amidst the devastation, rescue teams are tirelessly searching for missing individuals, including 5-year-old Siyanda Baloyi, believed to have been swept away from his home. A South African government official is also missing after his vehicle was caught in floods in Mozambique. These floods serve as a grim reminder of recent tragedies, following over 100 deaths in Eastern Cape last year and more than 400 in KwaZulu-Natal in 2022. The nation unites to face this ongoing challenge.
