Severe flooding driven by torrential rain and fierce winds has claimed at least 22 lives on South Africa’s eastern coast, local authorities reported on Tuesday. The devastating weather affected multiple areas across two eastern provinces, with unusual tornadoes spotted, plunging temperatures, and snow falling in some central regions.
In the Eastern Cape, flooding has resulted in 11 fatalities, according to a spokesperson from Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, the epicenter of the disaster. Over 2,000 residents have been evacuated from Nelson Mandela Bay, particularly from makeshift homes in the municipality’s slums. Local authorities have called for donations of clothing, food, and blankets to aid those affected.
Neighboring KwaZulu-Natal province has also reported 11 deaths in and around the port city of Durban. Provincial authorities have declared a state of alert in response to the crisis. A government statement indicated that 55 people sustained minor to moderate injuries and are receiving medical treatment in hospitals. Additionally, at least 120 individuals have been displaced, with three temporary shelters established to provide refuge.
The flooding in Durban and its surroundings is reminiscent of the catastrophic events of 2022, when the region experienced the worst flooding in South African history, resulting in mudslides that killed more than 400 people.
Rescue services were mobilized in both provinces on Monday night as the severe weather caused widespread destruction. Homes were demolished, roads inundated, and trees uprooted. Some areas experienced energy blackouts.
According to the National Meteorological Institute, South Africa is currently experiencing a “cut-off low” pressure system, characterized by heavy rains and a cold snap that can bring hail, snow, and strong winds. The eastern Indian Ocean coast has been particularly hard-hit, and meteorological services have issued weather alerts in four of the country’s nine provinces.
