At least 49 fatalities have been confirmed as severe floods wreak havoc in one of South Africa’s most impoverished regions, the Eastern Cape province. Emergency officials anticipate that this number may rise as more bodies are discovered during ongoing search efforts for those still unaccounted for.
The disaster struck on Tuesday, following an intense weather front that brought torrential rains, gale-force winds, and even snow in some areas, exacerbating the already desperate conditions for local residents. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane described the situation as one of the worst weather-related catastrophes the province has ever faced.
Among the casualties are six high school students who lost their lives when their school bus was swept away by floodwaters near the town of Mthatha, a central location during this calamity. Four other students remain missing, while three were rescued after clinging to trees and calling out for help.
The bus was located empty on Wednesday, and the search and rescue operations will continue into their third day as authorities attempt to account for all individuals affected by the disaster. Officials have not released specific numbers on those who may still be missing but are working closely with families to clarify who is unaccounted for.
In response to the catastrophic weather, disaster response units have been mobilized in both the Eastern Cape and the nearby KwaZulu-Natal province. Heavy rainfall and snow have impacted many southern and eastern regions of South Africa over the past weekend, leading to widespread destruction, including reports of mudslides.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that the National Disaster Management Center is currently collaborating with local authorities to manage the crisis, particularly in the Eastern Cape, which bore the brunt of the cold front that was forecasted last week. Unprecedented snowfalls have also been reported in the Free State province and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
In a statement, Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to affected families and characterized the situation as “devastation.” The impact of the floods has led to significant power outages, affecting hundreds of thousands of homes across the two provinces.
Reportedly, hundreds of families in the Eastern Cape have been left homeless after their residences were either washed away or severely damaged. Temporary shelters have been established to accommodate those displaced by the floods. Damage assessments indicate that at least 58 schools and 20 hospitals have also been compromised due to the rising waters, with Mthatha and its surrounding areas being particularly hard-hit.
Vehicles and debris washed away by the torrents are now scattered haphazardly across the landscape as the rain subsides and water levels begin to recede.
The geographic location of South Africa renders it susceptible to violent weather patterns originating from the Indian and Southern Oceans. Last year, catastrophic flooding in the coastal city of Durban resulted in over 400 deaths, demonstrating the persistent threat of severe weather in the region.
Informal housing settlements in economically disadvantaged areas frequently bear the brunt of such disasters, accounting for the majority of casualties in flooding events.
Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.
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