At least 101 people have been confirmed dead following catastrophic floods in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, with authorities warning the toll could rise as rescue efforts press on.
Among the victims are 38 children, including an infant just a year old. Search teams are still trying to locate two missing children, while seven bodies remain unidentified. The OR Tambo and Amathole districts were the most severely impacted.
“This moment will be recorded among the most agonising chapters in our province’s history,” said Zolile Williams, a senior Eastern Cape government official. “This tragedy has cut deep into the heart of our communities.”
Torrential rains between June 9 and 10, driven by a cold front, triggered flash floods that swept through homes, displaced residents, and severely damaged infrastructure. Many were trapped inside their homes, while power and water systems were knocked out.
Authorities estimate the cost of rebuilding at R5.1 billion (approximately $290 million). However, emergency services have made progress, with power restored to over 80% of affected households and water supplies back for more than 95% in the hardest-hit areas.
The South African government has declared a national state of disaster, unlocking funds for emergency relief and rebuilding efforts. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who visited the flood-ravaged communities on June 13, linked the disaster to climate change.
“These floods are a direct result of climate change,” Ramaphosa said, echoing warnings from the World Meteorological Organization, which reported in its 2024 State of the Climate in Africa that El Niño and other climate-related phenomena have driven a wave of extreme weather events across the continent.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Western Cape province also experienced severe rainfall and flooding last week, causing further disruptions in and around Cape Town.
