More than 100 people have died across southern Africa following torrential rain and widespread flooding, with authorities warning of further severe weather to come. South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe have been the worst affected, while Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia have also experienced significant damage.
South Africa has confirmed at least 19 fatalities in two northern provinces. The renowned Kruger National Park has been closed after rivers burst their banks, forcing the evacuation of around 600 tourists and staff by helicopter. The South African Weather Service issued a red-level 10 alert for parts of the country, warning of continued heavy rain posing a threat to life.
In Mozambique, the Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction reported 103 deaths since late last year, attributed to lightning, drowning, infrastructure collapse, and cholera outbreaks. The World Food Programme stated that over 200,000 people have been affected, with tens of thousands evacuated and 70,000 hectares of crops submerged. Zimbabwe’s disaster management agency recorded 70 deaths and the destruction of more than 1,000 homes, as well as damage to schools, roads, and bridges.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-stricken areas in Limpopo province, describing how 36 houses in one district had been “wiped away from the face of the Earth.” The army has deployed helicopters to rescue people trapped on rooftops and at flooded border posts. The flooding is possibly linked to the La Niña weather pattern, which can bring heavy rainfall to parts of southeastern Africa.
