South Africa was placed under a state of national disaster on Thursday following catastrophic floods that have ravaged the Eastern Cape province, claiming at least 92 lives and displacing hundreds.
The devastation, caused by an intense weather front that struck the province on June 9, has left a trail of destruction in one of the country’s poorest regions.
Torrential rains, strong winds, and snowfall led to flash floods that destroyed roads, homes, schools, and vital infrastructure.
In response, the Eastern Cape government declared a provincial Day of Mourning, holding a public memorial service at King Sabatha Dalindyebo TVET College in Mthatha—one of the few institutions that withstood the flooding.
Community members, officials, and families of the victims gathered to pay tribute to the lives lost.
Addressing mourners, Zolile Williams, a member of the Eastern Cape Executive Council, said the tragedy has deeply altered the province’s collective spirit.
“Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by unprecedented, catastrophic and unimaginable disasters, where about 92 people have perished.
The Eastern Cape has not been the same since. It is the first time we have experienced so many dead bodies—some still unaccounted for,” Williams lamented.
Many residents are now grappling with the overwhelming task of rebuilding their lives from the ruins.
Government officials, humanitarian groups, and emergency services have been mobilized to deliver aid and begin assessments for long-term recovery.
The South African Weather Service has warned of potential aftershocks from the storm system, urging continued caution and preparedness.
The national government is also expected to release emergency relief funds in the coming days.
This disaster marks one of the worst weather-related tragedies in South Africa in recent years, renewing calls for better infrastructure, climate adaptation policies, and support for vulnerable communities in disaster-prone areas.
Source: AP News
