Six people are dead and one is missing after severe flash floods hit the Eastern Cape over the weekend.
vinegarSevere flash floods hit the Eastern Cape over the weekend, leaving nine people dead and one person missing.
“Sadly, a girl and a man have died in floods over the weekend in the Eastern Cape and we are doing all we can to continue rescue efforts,” said Sithembiso Soyaya, spokesman for the province's Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Mail & Guardian.
About 70 people have been rescued in 55 rescue operations since Sunday, according to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
Soyaya confirmed that 500 people had been evacuated from low-lying areas and informal settlements in Kariega, Blue Horizon Bay and Seaview, the worst-hit areas.
“We have started evacuations and are evacuating people to various parts of the capital region. [in places] But public facilities like city hall and schools have been closed and some families are refusing to relocate as they fear for their possessions, he said.
The South African Weather Service issued a level six amber warning over the weekend, predicting strong winds, snowfall and flooding in parts of the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape.
The weather bureau also warned that severe thunderstorms were possible across Gauteng on Monday.
Gift of the Givers, a non-profit disaster relief group, said high water levels were hampering evacuation efforts in Kariega.
“Our main discussion was also about clogged drains. In East London, we have to mobilise teams immediately as that will exacerbate the disaster. There are also concerns that river banks are on the verge of flooding,” said Colleen Conradie, project management officer for Gift of the Givers in the Eastern Cape. M&G.
Relief groups were using water pumps to aid in evacuation efforts.
The South African National Defence Force has deployed a helicopter to assist with rescue efforts in inaccessible areas, while Gift of the Givers, Rescue South Africa and NSRI are on the ground providing assistance.
In one incident, the NSRI safely rescued a man from an island in the Brac River who was trapped in floodwaters after his car with six people inside was swept under a bridge.
The family, who were apparently trapped inside the car until late at night, tried to pry open the rear window and climb onto the roof.
The state is prone to flooding, which has caused many losses of life and damage to infrastructure.
In 2023, major floods killed three people and washed away bridges at Ingkuza Hill, King Sabata Dalindyebo and Port St Johns.
