The South African government has formally declared a national state of disaster in response to catastrophic flooding and severe weather that has claimed dozens of lives and caused hundreds of millions in damage.
Widespread Devastation and National Response
The declaration was made by the head of the National Disaster Management Center on Sunday, 18 January 2026, and announced officially by the government. This critical step empowers the national government to take full control of coordinating the emergency response across affected regions.
The torrential rains and subsequent floods have killed at least 30 people in the northern part of the country. The disaster has also damaged thousands of homes and washed away critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges, isolating communities and hampering relief efforts.
Regional Impact and Mounting Death Toll
The worst impact has been felt in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where all recorded fatalities have occurred. However, the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs confirmed that at least three other provinces have also been severely affected by the extreme weather.
This is part of a wider regional crisis. Parts of South Africa, along with neighbouring Mozambique and Zimbabwe, have endured weeks of heavy rainfall. This has resulted in severe flooding in central and southern Mozambique and northern South Africa. Tragically, more than 100 people have died across the three countries since the relentless rains began late last year.
Economic Cost and Tourist Evacuation
The economic toll is staggering. The premier of Limpopo province stated the weather has caused an estimated $240 million in damage in her province alone, with countless houses and buildings completely washed away.
The floods have also forced the closure of the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Emergency services evacuated hundreds of tourists and staff members from flooded camps to safer parts of the park. This event is a grim reminder of recent climate-related tragedies in South Africa, where more than 100 died in Eastern Cape floods last year and over 400 perished in the KwaZulu-Natal floods of 2022.
