Floods, snow, and damaging winds have killed ten people and displaced residents across multiple provinces
South Africa has declared a national disaster after days of extreme weather battered several provinces, leaving at least ten people dead.
On Sunday, the country’s National Disaster Management Center (NDMC) said severe weather conditions that began on May 4 triggered widespread flooding, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong winds, and snowfall across the Western Cape, North West, Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Mpumalanga provinces.
The South African Weather Service had earlier issued an Orange Level 6 and Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging winds and rough waves affecting the Western and Northern Cape between May 10 and May 12.
Authorities say the disaster has already caused major infrastructure damage, disrupted essential services, and displaced residents in several areas.
“As winter sets in, we are vulnerable to events which we may be able to forecast but whose actual intensity in specific locations we may not be able to predict,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, adding that the government was relying on scientific forecasting to prepare for further severe weather events and coordinate responses.
In the Western Cape, provincial authorities ordered all schools to close on Tuesday due to what officials described as “disruptive rainfall and flooding,” citing concerns for the safety of learners and staff. Schools are expected to reopen on Wednesday if conditions improve.
South Africa’s main winter season spans May to August, with snow typically falling from June to August as temperatures drop below 0C (32F).
Pretoria has already been hit by extreme weather this year. In January, Kruger National Park, one of the continent’s largest wildlife reserves, was partially closed after heavy flooding cut off access roads and campsites, with more than 600 tourists and staff were evacuated.
Heavy rains have also hit other African countries in recent weeks. In early May, at least 18 people were killed by floods and landslides in Kenya, with mudslides displacing families and damaging homes and infrastructure across central and eastern regions of the country.
