There were floods in South Africa in February and March, then again in September and again in December 2023.
| Date | 8 February–March; 24–25 September 2023; 30 December 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | South Africa |
| Deaths | 39 (at least) |
| Property damage | US$240 million[1] |
February–March
editFloods hit South Africa in February–March 2023, caused by heavy rainfall as a result of the La Niña weather phenomenon, affecting seven provinces, including Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West.[2] The floods have caused casualties, fatalities and damage to homes, businesses, basic infrastructure, roads, bridges and affected crops and livestock.
At least twelve people were killed across the provinces and others were stated to be missing.[3] In addition to that, two more fatalities were reported in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality (Eastern Cape Province),[4] and one person in Komani Town (formerly Queenstown).[5] Several people were evacuated in Lekwa Local Municipality[6] and residents in the area of Vaal, Vanderkloof, and Bloemhof dams along the Orange River (Northern Cape Province) were invited to evacuate after controlled water discharge operate by local authorities.[7] In Mpumalanga province, about 300 families have been evacuated.[8]
The South African Weather Service predicted "persistent and heavy" rains ahead, with the risk of further flooding due to "waterlogged soils and saturated rivers".[9]
In response to the floods, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared on February 13 the State of National Disaster in seven provinces.[10]
On 23 March, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of the Eastern Cape. The worst affected municipalities were Ingquza Hill, King Sabata Dalindyebo, and Port St Johns. Local authorities reported at least three people died and one was reported missing.[11] The flooding caused collapsed bridges, limiting movement in the flood-hit Port St Johns area.[12]
The cost of the damage was estimated to be around R4.5 billion in Eastern Cape[13] and R337 million in Mpumalanga.[14][15]
September, Western Cape
editFurther floods hit Western Cape in September 2023.
December, KwaZulu-Natal
editOn 30 December, Flash flooding killed 21 people in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.[16]
See also
edit- 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods - deadly floods in 2022
References
edit- ^ "Stemming the tide: UN supports flood survivors in South Africa". United Nations Sustainable Development Group. 2023-04-11.
- ^ "South Africa - Floods, update (Floodlist, media, Weather SA) (Echo Daily Flash of 21 February 2023)". ReliefWeb. 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ "South Africa floods kill 12, affect Kruger National Park". The Times of India. 2023-02-14. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ Cakata, Luvo (2023-02-20). "Coffee Bay floods leave two dead, four others still missing". News24. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ Kema, Sipha (2023-02-19). "Body of Komani woman swept away by floods recovered". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ "Floods leave Lekwa Municipality reeling". SAnews. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ "Water and Sanitation opens two more gates at Vaal Dam". www.gov.za. South African Government. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ "Flooding continues to wreak havoc in parts of South Africa". SABC News. 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ Rae, Kevin (2022-02-13). "Heavy rain and flooding observed across eastern South Africa, with further rainfall anticipated for the northern and north-eastern provinces" (PDF) (Press release). South African Weather Service.
- ^ "Government declares national state of disaster to enable intensive response to widespread floods". Presidency of the Republic. 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ Ngcobo, Khanyisile (2023-03-25). "Three dead, hundreds being sheltered after Eastern Cape floods". TimesLIVE.
- ^ Mabaso, Nhlanhla (2023-03-28). "Collapsed bridges limiting movement in flood-hit Port St Johns". Eyewitness News.
- ^ "Eastern Cape floods cause R4.5 billion road, bridge infrastructure damage". SAnews. 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ Sithole, Jane (2023-02-23). "Mpumalanga residents tired of empty SOPA promises". Democratic Alliance - Mpumalanga. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- ^ "Flooding in Mpumalanga has caused more than R300 million in damage", SABC News, 2023-02-14, retrieved 2023-02-26
- ^ Magome, Mogomotsi (2023-12-30). "Flash floods kill 21 people in South Africa's coastal province of KwaZulu-Natal, police say". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-01-01.