Death Toll Reaches 18 in South Africa Floods

The recent flooding in South Africa’s eastern coast has resulted in at least 18 deaths, according to local authorities. The Eastern Cape province has reported seven fatalities, while 11 deaths have occurred in the KwaZulu-Natal province, particularly around Durban. The flooding, caused by torrential rains, has led to the evacuation of over 2,000 people from Nelson Mandela Bay, primarily from makeshift homes in slums.

In response to the crisis, local authorities have appealed for donations of clothing, food, and blankets. A state of alert has been declared in KwaZulu-Natal, where 55 individuals sustained minor to moderate injuries and are receiving medical treatment. Approximately 120 people have been displaced, and three temporary shelters have been established.

The severe weather has flattened homes, flooded roads, felled trees, and caused energy blackouts in some areas. The national meteorological institute attributes the heavy rains to a “cut off low” pressure system, which is also responsible for a cold snap, hail, snow, and strong winds. Weather alerts have been issued in four of South Africa’s nine provinces.

This disaster follows the devastating floods of 2022 in Durban and surrounding areas, which resulted in over 400 deaths and significant damage due to mudslides. Rescue services have been deployed to the affected regions to assist those impacted by the current floods.