By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News
JOHANNESBURG (Worthy News) – Scores of people have been confirmed dead as devastating floods ravage South Africa’s poorest provinces, amid ongoing search and rescue efforts.
Authorities said Thursday that at least 49 people were known to have been killed in what was one of the worst reported weather-related disasters in the area.
The death toll was due to rise as more bodies were being found since floods hit the largely rural Eastern Cape province in the southeast of the country on Tuesday.
The floods were linked to an unusually strong weather front, which brought heavy rains, gale-force winds, and snow in some parts and impacted many.
“As we speak here, other bodies are being discovered,” Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane told reporters, adding it was one of the worst weather-related disasters his province had experienced. “I have never seen something like this.”
The death toll included six high school students, washed away when their school bus was caught in floodwaters on Tuesday near a river close to the town of Mthatha, Mabuyane added.
Mthatha was reportedly hard hit as it was at the center of the worst flooding. Four other students were among the missing, Mabuyane said.
13 SCHOOLCHILDREN
The vehicle had been carrying 13 schoolchildren and two adults, officials explained, adding that several bodies had been recovered.
South Africa has been lashed by heavy rain and snow since the weekend, and a severe winter cold front has disrupted transport and power networks.
State power utility Eskom said that almost 300,000 homes had been hit by electricity cuts in 14 towns and villages in the Eastern Cape.
Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said 196,000 homes in 24 areas in KwaZulu-Natal province were also experiencing power cuts.
Earlier, between 30 April and May 2, South Africa saw flash floods and overflowing rivers, which caused major damage to about 4,500 homes and injured 18 people.
A storm on the East Coast in April 2022 killed about 400 people and left thousands homeless, authorities said.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport Minister Siboniso Duma said heavy snow had caused lorries to be stuck on roads, causing huge congestion.
GRADER MACHINES
Grader machines have been stationed on the worst-affected roads to clear snow before it reaches more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) in depth.
Meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela also warned of strong winds and heavy waves at sea, which could make ship navigation difficult.
Both the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are along the coast.
Flooding has become more common and “severe” in South Africa, suggest climate warriors.
Several scientists blame “climate change,” while other experts say urbanization plays a role in the “deadly” flooding.
Experts say South Africa regularly receives snowfall during its winter months, from June through August, with temperatures diving below 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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