Heavy rains have caused severe devastation in southeast Africa, leaving more than 100 people dead, hundreds of thousands displaced and many missing. South Africa’s government declared a national emergency on Sunday.
According to official information, 17 people have died there in the Limpopo province so far, and at least 20 in the neighboring Mpumalanga province. For Limpopo, the provincial government estimated the damage to the destroyed infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and public buildings at the equivalent of around 217 million euros.
National park partially closed
The Kruger National Park, located in the northeast and covering an area of around 20,000 square kilometers, will initially remain closed to visitors at least in part until Monday, as large areas there are also flooded. Aerial photos and videos from the park authority show camps and lodges that are flooded with water up to their roofs. The southern part is still open. According to the park administration, short-term closures are possible.
The neighboring country of Mozambique experienced particularly heavy rainfall. The World Food Program (WFP) has already spoken of one of the worst flood disasters in years. Over the weekend, aid organizations such as Save the Children reported more than a hundred deaths and more than 230,000 people who had to flee the floodwaters.
According to information from the National Institute for Disaster Management, some people escaped to trees and roofs. Roads are under water, huts and fields have been destroyed. The WFP warned of far-reaching consequences: Given the destroyed fields and significant damage to the infrastructure, there could be food shortages.
Washed away by masses of water
Numerous people are also missing; including a South African local politician whose vehicle was hit by floodwaters in southern Mozambique and washed away. There was no further information about his fate as of Sunday afternoon.
The landlocked country of Zimbabwe is also affected. There, two bridges were completely destroyed after a dam burst. Rivers that overflow their banks also cause serious damage and displace thousands of people to higher regions.
Wild animals are also considered a danger because they are fleeing the floodwaters or have been washed into inhabited areas. An official in Mozambique’s Chibuto region reported two deaths from crocodile attacks. Three other people were injured.
Extreme weather in Mozambique
In the region, Mozambique, which is located on the Indian Ocean, is regularly hit by cyclones at the beginning of the year, which often cause severe devastation. It is considered extremely affected by extreme weather: According to a World Bank report, the country was plagued by 28 cyclones, 20 severe floods and 15 droughts between 1980 and 2022.
