The government has declared the severe storms affecting several provinces a national disaster. Six provinces have been affected: the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Free State, and Mpumalanga.
The South African Weather Service has warned that heavy rain and strong winds are expected to persist in parts of the Western Cape. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has announced that all schools in the province will be closed on Tuesday, May 12.
Authorities have been urged to implement a multi-sector plan focused on prevention, relief and rehabilitation as rescue and clean-up operations continue in flood-hit areas facing road closures, damaged infrastructure and power outages.
City of Cape Town teams are on the ground clearing debris from fallen trees and removing storm-related obstructions across affected areas as part of ongoing mopping-up operations.
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The severe weather has already slowed responses to the storm damage, and officials are still working on damage in some areas.
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Search and rescue teams from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have launched an emergency operation in Limpopo Province as residents are forced to take refuge in churches.
The flooding has claimed 19 lives and caused widespread destruction of homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. President Cyril Ramaphosa
Vehicles cross under the Addo Road Bridge, the busiest road in Motherwell, linking Gqeberha, Wells Estate, and Kariega (file photo).
allAfrica.com
allafrica.com
