Severe flooding, large tornado leave 22 people dead and many injured in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
Heavy rains and strong winds over the past couple of days have caused severe flooding on South Africa’s eastern coast, leading to at least 22 fatalities. The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces have been the hardest hit, with thousands evacuated and significant infrastructure damage reported.
The flooding impacted several locations across two eastern provinces, with rare tornados and unexpected snowfall exacerbating the situation. Rescue services were deployed to both provinces on Monday night, June 3, 2024.
The flooding has resulted in flattened homes, flooded roads, and downed trees. Some areas have also experienced energy blackouts, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.
In the Eastern Cape, at least 11 people lost their lives, according to a spokesperson from the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, which has been heavily affected by the floods. More than 2 000 residents have been evacuated from makeshift homes in the slums of Nelson Mandela Bay. Local authorities have called for donations of clothing, food, and blankets to support those displaced by the floods.
KwaZulu-Natal, the neighboring province, has also suffered significant losses, with another 11 fatalities reported in and around the port city of Durban after severe weather accompanied by a large tornado ripped through the town of Tongaat on June 3.
The tornado caused extensive damage to homes and schools and left over a thousand families homeless.
The provincial government has declared a state of alert. A government statement revealed that 55 people sustained minor to moderate injuries and are receiving medical treatment in hospitals.
The National Meteorological Institute indicated that South Africa is currently experiencing a “cut off low” pressure system, characterized by heavy rains and a cold snap that can bring hail, snow, and strong winds. The eastern Indian Ocean coast has been particularly hard hit, with meteorological services issuing weather alerts in four of the country’s nine provinces.
References:
1 South African floods kill at least 22 people – AFP – June 4, 2024
2 KZN STORMS | TORNADO DISPLACES OVER 1,200 IN TONGAAT – ENCA – June 4, 2024
Featured image credit: Tjaart Nel (stillshot)
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