Heavy rains, flooding devastate Southern Africa, causing many deaths

(MENAFN) Weeks of relentless rainfall and widespread flooding have devastated several Southern African nations, including South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, leaving more than 200 people dead, damaging property, and triggering large-scale evacuations and rescue efforts.

South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre declared a national disaster on Sunday as heavy rains continued to impact the northern regions of the country.

Local reports indicate that persistent rainfall since late December has caused severe flooding in Limpopo Province, where at least 17 people, including two children, have died. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa stated on Sunday that 20 individuals had perished in flood-related incidents in Mpumalanga Province.

Over 1,600 homes and 31 schools have been affected in Limpopo, while more than 1,000 homes in Mpumalanga have sustained varying levels of damage. Rising waters have also led to the partial closure of Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves, forcing the evacuation of more than 600 visitors after access roads and campsites were submerged.

The South African National Defence Force has deployed two helicopters to support rescue operations and evacuate residents stranded in severely affected areas.

In Mozambique, figures released Friday by the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction indicate that at least 103 people have died following an exceptionally heavy rainy season, with over 200,000 people impacted nationwide. Approximately 173,000 acres of farmland have been left waterlogged, raising concerns over food security.

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