South African authorities have declared a natural disaster after severe flooding caused by torrential rains claimed at least 10 lives and destroyed numerous homes across six provinces. The flooding has particularly devastated informal settlements.
Disaster Declaration and Impact
The declaration, announced on Tuesday, covers flooding, thunderstorms, high winds, and even snowfall that have affected the Western Cape, North West, Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Mpumalanga provinces since May 4. This status allows the government to access emergency funds and mobilize resources for response efforts.
Cape Town has been severely impacted, prompting the Western Cape provincial government to order the temporary closure of schools and parts of the iconic Table Mountain tourist attraction. Local officials reported on Tuesday that at least 26 informal settlements around the city have been flooded, with over 10,000 structures damaged.
Government Response and Expert Analysis
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed “deep sadness” over the loss of life as the Southern Hemisphere enters winter. He stated that authorities are “making the best use of science to pre-empt some of these events and to respond to the aftermath.”
Experts warn that severe floods across Southern Africa are intensifying due to extreme weather patterns. Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have experienced unusually heavy rains in recent months, leading to the region’s worst flooding in years. In January, South Africa declared a national disaster after torrential rains and floods killed at least 30 people in the north, damaging thousands of homes and washing away roads and bridges.
