Severe flooding in eastern South Africa has resulted in a devastating death toll of 49, including four children who tragically drowned when a school bus was swept away. The flooding has primarily affected the Eastern Cape province, where relentless rainfall, snow, and cold winds have wreaked havoc over the past week.
Authorities reported that the bus, which was carrying 13 passengers, was caught in the flood near Mthatha. While four children have been confirmed dead, rescue efforts are ongoing for the remaining missing individuals. Three passengers were found alive after escaping to trees as floodwaters rose.
The situation has led to widespread displacement, with hundreds of families forced to evacuate their homes. The provincial governor highlighted that search and recovery operations are continuously adapting to the evolving crisis, as the severe winter weather has caused significant damage to critical infrastructure.
Emergency services are stretched thin, with only one helicopter available for rescue operations in the province. The governor has called for more resources, emphasizing that the region has never experienced disasters of this magnitude, a situation worsened by climate change.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the life-threatening conditions and urged citizens to exercise caution as the harsh winter persists. The national weather service has warned that the severe weather is expected to continue, highlighting South Africa’s vulnerability to climate variability, which increases the frequency and intensity of such natural disasters.
