Heavy rainfall has been affecting most of South Africa (in particular the Provinces of Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West) since 17 February, causing floods and rivers overflow (particularly the Orange River) that have resulted in casualties and damage. This flooding follows the one already occurred across the Country during the first half of February, that caused at least 12 fatalities.
Media report, as of 21 February, two fatalities and four people stil missing across the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality (Eastern Cape Province). In the same Province, one person is still missing in Komani Town (formerly Queenstown). Several people have been evacuated in Lekwa Municipality (Mpumalanga Province) and in Ngaka Modiri Molema Municipality (North West Province).
Furthermore, residents in the area of Vaal, Vanderkloof, and Bloemhof Dams along the Orange River (Northern Cape Province) were invited to evacuate after the controlled water discharge operate by local authorities.
In Mpumalanga, about 300 families have been displaced and are currently being accommodated in temporary shelters.
Over the next 24 hours, more rainfall is forecast over north-eastern South Africa, including the already affected Mpumalanga, and North West Provinces.
Source: European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations