Death Toll in South Africa Floods Rises to 78

Rescue teams in Eastern Cape, South Africa, are still recovering bodies after massive floods led to at least 78 fatalities. The storm, characterized by heavy rains and strong winds, hit on Monday and caused widespread destruction around Mthatha, displacing over 600 residents. Efforts continue as more bodies are expected to be found among the wreckage, raising concerns regarding climate change’s impact on future weather patterns in the region.

The ongoing floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province have claimed at least 78 lives, with rescue teams continuing to search for victims following the severe weather conditions that struck on Monday. That brutal winter storm, characterized by heavy rains and strong winds, caused rivers to overflow their banks and inundate many homes, primarily affecting informal settlements in the area around Mthatha, roughly 800 kilometers south of Johannesburg.

By Thursday, rescue efforts had resulted in the harrowing recovery of bodies, some of which belonged to children. A team discovered four remains in a single room dwelling as locals sifted through the thick mud to salvage belongings from their damaged homes. Visual accounts of the destruction depict a landscape where houses, trees, and even vehicles are coated in mud while debris litters the ground.

Caroline Gallant, the Eastern Cape manager for the South African Red Cross Society, reported that over 3,000 homes have suffered damage, labeling this disaster as “the worst ever” recorded in the province’s history. Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed the death toll has risen to 78, highlighting that among the fatalities are six school students from a van that was swept away in the floodwaters, with four children still unaccounted for.

Siviwe Gwarube, the Basic Education Minister, shared the toll from the floods on SABC News, expressing their deep sorrow. In addition to the earlier recoveries, the Gift of the Givers Foundation announced they had found eight more bodies by Thursday evening, which included three minors. President Cyril Ramaphosa has labeled the floods as “unprecedented” and plans to visit the affected region soon.

Rescue teams are undertaking meticulous door-to-door searches within devastated neighborhoods, hoping to locate more survivors or additional victims. One rescuer noted that some individuals were found trapped inside their homes. The storm has also disrupted local utilities; at least 600 residents have been displaced, some taking refuge in community centers, while over 20 health facilities have sustained damage.

The spokesperson for Gift of the Givers, Ali Sablay, warned that the number of people in need of assistance has significantly increased, growing from 5,000 to 10,000 in just a day. He emphasized the fragility of many homes, which could collapse, thereby necessitating evacuations as food supplies become contaminated.

Despite the typical winter weather including snow, the region remains vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which has exacerbated the severity of such natural disasters. According to the Southern African Regional Poverty Network, about 72 percent of residents in this historically impoverished province live below the poverty line, making recovery efforts even more challenging.

In light of the devastation, Minister Hlabisa urged decisive action regarding the flood plains, acknowledging the stark reality posed by climate change. “We must take a tough stance that everyone who is living on a flood plain must be removed,” he stated, highlighting an urgent need for change in future urban planning.

The floods in Eastern Cape have led to devastating loss, with a confirmed death toll of at least 78. Rescue operations are ongoing, however the damage to homes and basic infrastructure has displaced hundreds. The situation underscores the urgent need to address climate change impacts and enhance disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions. Ministerial calls for decisive action related to flood plain habitation amplify the gravity of the issue.

Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com