By our Reporter
The death toll from the devastating floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape on Saturday climbed to at least 86, as rescue teams continue to recover bodies and search for missing persons following days of heavy rainfall and strong winds that battered the region earlier this week, AFP reported.
Emergency services, including the police, forensic teams, and volunteers from organizations such as Gift of the Givers, have been combing through debris and flooded dwellings, especially in the city of Mthatha, one of the worst-hit areas.
Many victims were found inside their homes, caught off guard when floodwaters surged in during the night.
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the flood-ravaged province on Friday, calling the situation a “catastrophic disaster” and attributing the extreme weather to climate change.
He reported that in some areas, floodwaters rose to more than four meters, submerging homes, roads, and public infrastructure.
Police minister Senzo Mchunu said on Saturday he had received news of “the overall figure in the province rising to 86.”
Among the dead were at least six children and three adults who were on a school bus that was swept away in the flood.
Three students were rescued after clinging to trees, but four were still missing on Saturday.
The floods have displaced thousands, many of whom are now sheltering in schools and community centers. Volunteers and aid agencies are providing food, blankets, and basic supplies as clean-up efforts begin in earnest.
The region, prone to heavy rains in winter, experienced what Ramaphosa described as “unprecedented” weather conditions.
According to the Green Climate Fund, South Africa is among the nations most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, facing increasingly severe and frequent weather events.
The village of Qunu, near Mthatha and the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, is also among the affected areas. In the aftermath, residents have been seen clearing mud from their homes and salvaging what little remains of their belongings.
