Several deaths have been recorded in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province due to flooding.
A powerful winter storm has swept across the country since the weekend bringing bitter cold, snow, and flooding to several provinces.
There are fears that the death toll from severe weather conditions may rise.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had issued warnings ahead of the storm, cautioning that “dangerous conditions including heavy rainfall, snow, and severe cold were expected to impact large parts of the country.”
Disaster management teams and emergency services have been deployed to the hardest-hit areas, whilst rescue workers search for a minibus taxi carrying schoolchildren that was swept away by floodwaters in the province on Tuesday morning.
“We are deeply concerned about the loss of life and the ongoing search for missing persons,” said Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, as quoted by News24. “Our disaster management teams are working around the clock to assist affected communities and restore essential services.”
Nearly half a million homes were also left without electricity following the storm.
Parts of South Africa receive snowfalls during its winter months, but forecasters had warned last week that a particularly strong cold front was about to hit the country.
At least seven people have died in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province following devastating floods triggered by a powerful winter storm, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had issued warnings ahead of the storm, cautioning that “dangerous conditions including heavy rainfall, snow, and severe cold were expected to impact large parts of the country.” According to SAWS, the Eastern Cape was at “high risk of flooding, with several roads already closed and travel conditions extremely hazardous.”
Rescue workers are still searching for a minibus taxi carrying schoolchildren that was swept away by floodwaters on Tuesday morning. “Three children have been found alive, but the search for others had to be suspended at nightfall due to safety concerns,” a spokesperson for the provincial emergency services told eNCA.
The storm has also left nearly half a million homes without electricity. “Our teams are working tirelessly to restore power, but the extent of the damage means it could take several days,” Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena told SABC News.
While snowfalls are not uncommon in parts of South Africa during winter, forecasters had warned that this would be an unusually strong cold front. “This is one of the most significant winter storms we have seen in recent years,” said SAWS senior forecaster Mbavhi Maliage in an interview with TimesLIVE.
Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to heed official warnings as emergency services work to reach isolated communities and assess the full extent of the damage.
Source: Africafeeds.com
