South Africa heading for another year of record-breaking power cuts
Increased demand and degrading infrastructure is pushing South Africa to its its second year of record-breaking power cuts.
More than 440 people killed after catastrophic floods and landslides hit Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
At least 443 people have been killed in severe floods and landslides affecting South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, particularly the city of Durban, since April 10, 2022. There are still dozens of people missing and the death toll is expected to continue rising.
Subtropical Depression “Issa” forms near eastern South Africa, heavy rainfall claims at least 45 lives
Heavy rainfall continues falling over eastern South Africa, particularly over the Province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), since April 10, causing floods and landslides. On April 12, authorities reported at least 45 fatalities across the city of Durban. An unknown number of people are missing and the death toll is expected to rise.
South Africa experiencing the biggest locust infestation in decades
The exceptionally wet rainy season in South Africa allowed rapid breeding of brown locusts and led to the biggest infestation the country has seen in decades. In December 2021, many parts of the country experienced the heaviest rains since records began in 1921.
Destructive floods hit Eastern Cape, South Africa
Heavy rains affecting South Africa's Eastern Cape on January 8 and 9, 2022, have left several people dead and scores displaced. The floods affected areas of Mthatha, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, the township of Mdantsane, and areas of East London,…
Severe thunderstorms hit Eastern Cape, claiming 6 lives and damaging more than 1 000 homes, South Africa
Severe thunderstorms hit the province of Eastern Cape, South Africa over the past couple of days, claiming the lives of at least 6 people and damaging more than 1 000 homes. The latest areas to be hit by the storms include the municipalities of Amathole, Raymond…
Severe hailstorm hits Klerksdorp, South Africa
A severe hailstorm hit the city of Klerksdorp, South Africa's North West Province on November 25, 2021, causing widespread damage. The storm flooded roads and damaged the roofs of many homes and businesses.1 This is the third destructive hailstorm to hit South…
Severe damage after cricket ball-sized hail hits Lydenburg, South Africa
A severe hailstorm classified by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) as a superstorm, hit the town of Lydenburg in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, Mpumalanga highveld during the afternoon hours of Sunday, November 14, 2021. Some of the hailstones were larger…
Hour-long hailstorm kills hundreds of ostriches in Aberdeen, South Africa
An intense, hour-long hailstorm hit parts of the Eastern Cape on October 28, 2021, leaving at least 450 ostriches and other livestock dead on a farm in the district of Aberdeen. "I’m 54 years old and I have never experienced a storm quite as severe as…
Rare snowfall in South Africa caused by intense cold front
An intense cold front associated with a steep upper-air trough affecting parts of South Africa from August 26 to 30, 2021, brought heavy rains, disruptive snow, and cold temperatures.1 The front lashed Western Cape before moving to other parts of South Africa,…