Among the rescue efforts was an incident involving a school principal from Mqanduli, who was saved with the assistance of local residents after his car was swept into a river. Emergency services began receiving calls as early as 4:00 AM, and operations are continuing with the support of the South African Police Service, municipal disaster teams, and the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.
The flooding follows a Level 6 weather warning issued as parts of the province experienced strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snowfall over the past 24 hours. Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has activated its disaster response unit in response to what it described as “havoc across the Eastern Cape.”
The Amathole District Disaster Management Team, Mnquma Local Municipality, and local community leaders have requested urgent assistance as flooding affects entire communities. In Butterworth and the surrounding areas, localised flooding has caused extensive damage, with community halls opened to accommodate displaced families.
Daily Dispatch
DISPATCH REPORTER
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