Eastern Cape Floods: Death Toll Hits 90 as Relief Efforts Intensify Amid Climate Change Crisis

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By Lerato Mpembe

The Eastern Cape province is reeling from devastating floods that have claimed 90 lives, with Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, set to begin a three-day visit to the storm-hit region. Nearly 3,000 households have been impacted, with over 1,000 homes destroyed and more than 600 partially damaged. Mthatha, the worst-affected area, has been declared a disaster zone, while rescue and relief operations push forward under immense pressure. President Cyril Ramaphosa has already visited, offering condolences and pledging support as the province grapples with the growing toll of this climate-driven catastrophe.

A Deadly Deluge: The Scale of the Disaster

The floods struck on 10 June 2025, sparked by a fierce cold front that brought heavy rain, snow, and gale-force winds across the Eastern Cape. Towns like Mthatha, Libode, and parts of the OR Tambo and Amathole districts have been hit hardest. By Sunday, the death toll reached 88, with five more bodies—including that of a 10-year-old girl from Libode—recovered over the weekend, pushing the total to 90 by Monday. Search and rescue teams are now in their seventh day of operations, scouring rivers and flood plains for missing persons.
The most tragic single event occurred along the R61 near Mthatha, where a scholar transport minibus carrying 22 passengers was swept away by raging floodwaters. Eight bodies were recovered: six learners, one adult chaperone, and the driver. Three learners survived by holding onto trees, but four education staff remain unaccounted for. An elderly woman from Mqanduli shared her grief: “The water was around my neck. I held onto the roof, praying. I couldn’t save them,” she said, after losing three grandchildren when their home was washed away.
The destruction extends beyond lives lost. At least 127 schools, 20 clinics, and countless roads and bridges have been damaged, cutting off access to many areas. The Butterworth water treatment plant’s failure has left the town without clean water, while power outages and scarce drinking water plague the region. Over 1,000 people are displaced, now sheltered in community halls, schools, and other makeshift refuges.

Government Steps In: Relief and Response

Minister Thembi Simelane’s visit aims to coordinate with provincial and municipal leaders to chart the next steps for aiding flood victims. Her trip follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s earlier oversight visit to the Efata Bridge in Mthatha, the site of the scholar transport tragedy. Ramaphosa called the floods a “catastrophic disaster” and praised emergency teams, saying, “Flood death toll would be worse without emergency response.” He also tackled rumours about the Mthatha Dam, assuring residents there was no deliberate water release.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane has declared Mthatha a disaster area, unlocking extra resources for recovery. The National Disaster Management Centre is active, and a Joint Operations Centre in OR Tambo is overseeing efforts. According to provincial spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie, “Provincial government continues to provide emergency relief to thousands of residents displaced by recent floods in OR Tambo and Amathole municipalities.” This includes food parcels, water, blankets, and clothing for those in need.
Humanitarian groups like Gift of the Givers and the Al-Imdaad Foundation are also on the ground, delivering aid and trauma support. Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman of Gift of the Givers called the disaster “enormous,” stressing the urgent need for sustained help. Water tankers have been deployed to areas like Butterworth, and field teams are working to prevent disease outbreaks as stagnant water mixes with sewage.

Rescue Struggles: Limited Resources Slow Progress

Rescue operations have faced significant hurdles due to the Eastern Cape’s limited capacity. With only one working helicopter and no local diving or canine search teams, specialised units had to be brought in from over 500 kilometres away. Premier Mabuyane admitted that the first 12 hours of the response were “paralysed” by these shortages, though efforts have since picked up pace.
Teams are now combing flood-ravaged areas across OR Tambo and Amathole, battling difficult terrain and ongoing risks. The Provincial Department of Health reports that post-mortems are complete on over 80 bodies, with families identifying loved ones through forensic efforts, including DNA and dental records. This careful process, while slow, ensures dignity for the deceased and closure for survivors.
The threat of waterborne diseases looms large, with health workers racing to treat the injured and vulnerable. Psychosocial support is also being rolled out, especially for children and the elderly, many of whom watched helplessly as the floods took their families and homes.

Climate Change: The Bigger Picture

The floods have spotlighted the Eastern Cape’s exposure to extreme weather, a problem experts tie to climate change. President Ramaphosa warned, “We can no longer treat floods like these as rare. They are becoming our reality.” Mthatha saw 129 mm of rain in just two days—far beyond normal winter levels—overwhelming outdated drainage systems and fragile infrastructure.
This isn’t an isolated event. Recent years have seen similar floods batter KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, pointing to a national trend of worsening weather patterns. The Eastern Cape’s rural areas, marked by poverty and informal settlements, are especially at risk. Experts say South Africa’s early warning systems are lagging, leaving communities unprepared when disaster strikes.
Calls are growing for better disaster readiness, including:

• More helicopters and drones for rescue missions.
• Local training for dive and canine search teams.
• Updated flood risk maps and warning systems.
• Stronger infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
  Without these changes, future floods could bring even greater loss.
  New Details: Economic and Environmental Fallout
  Beyond the human toll, the floods have dealt a blow to the Eastern Cape’s economy. Agriculture, a key livelihood, has suffered as farmland lies underwater and livestock have drowned. Coffee Bay, a popular tourist spot, saw its beaches and roads washed out, threatening the local tourism industry still recovering from past setbacks. Small businesses in Mthatha and surrounding towns report massive losses, with stock and equipment ruined.
  Environmentally, the floods have caused landslides and soil erosion, scarring the landscape and raising fears of long-term damage. Rivers like the Tsitsa and Mzimvubu have overflowed, carrying debris and pollutants downstream. Conservationists warn that wildlife habitats, including those of rare bird species, may take years to recover.
  Global and Local Solidarity
  The crisis has drawn international support. The United Arab Emirates and China have sent aid and condolences, while the United Nations has praised South Africa’s response and offered recovery assistance. Locally, communities have pulled together—businesses donate supplies, neighbours open their homes, and volunteers join relief efforts.
  The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is stepping in with grants for affected families, and the Department of Social Development is expanding counselling services. Faith-based groups are providing spiritual support alongside practical help, fostering a sense of hope amid the devastation.

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