Status: 02/14/2023 07:31 a.m
After heavy rains, a nationwide disaster alert is in place in South Africa. So far, seven people have been killed in the floods that followed. Damage was reported to roads, bridges and a hospital.
South Africa’s government has declared a national emergency due to flooding in seven of the country’s nine provinces. At least seven people were killed, the AFP news agency reported.
After above-average rainfall, the civil protection authority reported flooded houses and overflowing dams, as well as damage to roads, bridges and a hospital. In addition, there are agricultural losses, the government in Pretoria announced on Monday evening.
The declaration of a nationwide disaster is intended to make it easier for the authorities to coordinate emergency measures. This allows the government to restrict certain rights. In addition, the police and the military can be used to help.
Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga badly affected
In the province of Kwazulu-Natal in the south-east of the country alone, five people were killed by the floods, according to the authorities, including a newborn. In addition, several people would be missing. They wanted to cross a river swollen with masses of water. At least two people died in Mpumalanga province in the northeast of the country.
According to the information, the provinces of Eastern Cape on the coast in the south and Mpumalanga, where the famous Kruger National Park is located, are particularly affected. Heavy flooding also hit Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North Cape and North West provinces.
Rainfall should continue
According to South Africa’s weather service, the heavy rains are expected to continue. Meteorologists are also expecting above-average rain for the coming months.
In April last year, severe flooding and mudslides in the coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal killed hundreds and forced around 40,000 to flee.
A few days ago, South Africa declared a disaster due to a massive energy crisis. The alert allows the government to free up additional financial resources from its budget. The government had already taken a similar approach to combating the corona virus.