South Africa Declares National Disaster as Floods Devastate Communities and Kill Dozens

South Africa has declared a national disaster after severe flooding in Limpopo and Mpumalanga killed over 30 people, destroyed homes, and forced thousands to flee to Mozambique. Rivers overflowed, inundating communities in both countries. Rescue efforts continue, including in Kruger National Park, which is reopening to visitors. In Mozambique, at least eight have died, over 173,000 people are affected, and South African teams are assisting after a delegation vehicle was swept away by floodwaters.

South Africa on Sunday declared a national disaster after widespread flooding caused extensive destruction across several regions, leaving dozens dead and forcing thousands of people to seek shelter in neighbouring Mozambique. The relentless heavy rains and powerful storms have been battering the two southern African nations for several weeks, resulting in more than 30 fatalities in South Africa’s northeastern Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Entire communities have been inundated as rivers overflowed their banks, submerging homes, roads, and infrastructure, while in Mozambique, several neighbourhoods have been completely flooded, displacing thousands of residents who are now relying on emergency shelters.
Elias Sithole, head of South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre, confirmed the severity of the situation in a statement on Sunday, saying, “I classify the disaster as a national disaster.” Authorities have been working tirelessly over the weekend to locate survivors and recover bodies from the affected areas, though in some places, the floodwaters have begun to slowly recede. Among these areas is the world-famous Kruger National Park, which had to close and evacuate all visitors on Thursday due to rising waters. South African National Parks later announced on social media that day visitation to the park would resume starting Monday, while still urging visitors to exercise caution due to lingering water hazards and potentially damaged areas.
Meanwhile, in Mozambique, official figures indicate that at least eight people have died since December 21, highlighting the devastating impact of the ongoing storms. South Africa responded to the humanitarian crisis by dispatching rescue teams to southern Mozambique on Sunday after a vehicle carrying five members of a South African mayoral delegation was swept away by floodwaters in Chokwe, a town located approximately 200 kilometres north of the capital, Maputo. The Mozambican government reported on Friday that over 173,000 people across the country had been affected by the floods, many of whom have lost homes, livelihoods, and access to essential services such as clean water, electricity, and healthcare.
The humanitarian response is ongoing, with local authorities and international agencies coordinating relief efforts to provide food, shelter, and medical assistance to those impacted. Roads remain impassable in many flood-affected areas, complicating the delivery of aid, and officials are warning residents to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast in the coming days, which could further worsen the situation. The floods have not only caused immediate loss of life and property but also disrupted economic activity, education, and access to basic services, creating a long-term challenge for recovery and rebuilding in both South Africa and Mozambique.