At least 49 people have been confirmed dead due to severe flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, following heavy rain and strong winds brought by a powerful weather front on Tuesday. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane described the situation as one of the worst weather-related disasters in the region’s history, noting the loss of six high school students who were swept away near Mutasa town. Efforts continue to find four missing students and assess the extent of the casualty toll.
In addition to casualties, hundreds of families are now in temporary shelters after their homes were destroyed or damaged, alongside significant impacts on schools and hospitals. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences and announced that disaster response teams are being mobilized. The floods have been exacerbated by unusual snowfall in the region. South Africa frequently faces such weather-related disasters, often affecting poorer communities hardest.
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