Deadly Floods Kill Over 100 Across Southern Africa as More Heavy Rains Forecast -

PAKISTAN

Torrential rains and widespread flooding across southern Africa have killed more than 100 people in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, with authorities warning that further severe weather is expected in the coming days.

In South Africa, at least 19 people have died in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga after weeks of heavy rainfall triggered flash floods, washed away roads and bridges, and damaged homes. Parts of the Kruger National Park were badly affected, forcing the evacuation of around 600 tourists and staff by helicopter from flooded camps. The park has been closed to visitors, though no deaths or injuries were reported there.

Mozambique has borne the brunt of the disaster. The country’s disaster management agency said 103 people have died since late last year in an unusually intense rainy season. Causes of death include drowning, lightning strikes, collapsing infrastructure, and cholera outbreaks. Flooding in central and southern regions has affected more than 200,000 people, damaged thousands of homes, and forced tens of thousands to consider evacuation.

In Zimbabwe, authorities reported 70 deaths and the destruction of more than 1,000 homes since the start of the year. Schools, roads, and bridges have also collapsed, worsening the humanitarian impact.

Flooding has also hit Madagascar, Malawi, and Zambia. Madagascar reported at least 11 deaths since late November. The US Famine Early Warning System said flooding has been reported or is expected in at least seven southern African countries, possibly linked to the La Niña weather phenomenon.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited flood-hit areas in Limpopo, where some districts received about 400 millimetres of rain in less than a week, leaving entire communities devastated.

The World Food Programme warned that flooding has submerged more than 70,000 hectares of crops in Mozambique, worsening food insecurity in a region already vulnerable to climate-driven shocks. – ER Monitoring Desk

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