Heavy rainfall and snowfall have caused widespread disruption, resulting in fatalities and power outages across multiple provinces.
Heavy Floods and Snow in South Africa Lead to Schoolchildren's Minibus Tragedy
Heavy Floods and Snow in South Africa Lead to Schoolchildren's Minibus Tragedy
A minibus carrying schoolchildren has been swept away in severe weather, prompting rescue efforts and raising alarms in South Africa.
In an alarming turn of events, a minibus transporting schoolchildren has been swept away by severe flooding in South Africa, as confirmed by the Eastern Cape provincial government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie. Reports indicate that the exact number of children on board remains unclear; however, three children have been rescued so far. As night fell, rescue efforts were halted, with plans to resume on Wednesday.
In a separate tragic incident within the OR Tambo district, the bodies of seven individuals who had been swept away by the floodwaters have been discovered. The current weather patterns in the region — characterized by torrential rain, heavy snow, and fierce winds — have caused at least five additional fatalities due to a road accident, leaving nearly 500,000 properties without electricity.
The Eastern Cape, the birthplace of revered anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, has been particularly severely affected. Along with KwaZulu-Natal province, the area has experienced significant disruptions, including road closures to mitigate further casualties. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane issued a statement emphasizing the need for caution in flood-prone areas, describing the situation as a "devastating reminder of nature's force."
In another unfortunate event, five lives were lost in a minibus accident near East London when the driver lost control while avoiding a fallen tree, as reported by Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose. The accident also left two individuals injured.
State power utility Eskom reported that close to 300,000 homes across 14 towns and villages in the Eastern Cape faced power outages, while another 196,000 properties in 24 regions of KwaZulu-Natal were similarly affected. KwaZulu-Natal Transport Minister Siboniso Duma informed that heavy snowfall had immobilized trucks on major roads, resulting in extensive traffic congestion.
Grading machines have been deployed to clear key routes affected by the snowfall, which has reportedly accumulated over 30cm (12 inches) in some areas. Meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela has also warned of strong winds and high waves at sea, complicating maritime navigation.
While South Africa does experience snowfall during its winter months from June to August, climatic changes are leading to increasingly severe weather patterns, including heavier rainfall and flooding. Previous incidents, such as flash floods from April to May, resulted in damage to approximately 4,500 homes and left 18 people injured.
As the nation grapples with these unfortunate events, the focus remains on safety and recovery efforts in the affected communities.
In a separate tragic incident within the OR Tambo district, the bodies of seven individuals who had been swept away by the floodwaters have been discovered. The current weather patterns in the region — characterized by torrential rain, heavy snow, and fierce winds — have caused at least five additional fatalities due to a road accident, leaving nearly 500,000 properties without electricity.
The Eastern Cape, the birthplace of revered anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, has been particularly severely affected. Along with KwaZulu-Natal province, the area has experienced significant disruptions, including road closures to mitigate further casualties. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane issued a statement emphasizing the need for caution in flood-prone areas, describing the situation as a "devastating reminder of nature's force."
In another unfortunate event, five lives were lost in a minibus accident near East London when the driver lost control while avoiding a fallen tree, as reported by Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose. The accident also left two individuals injured.
State power utility Eskom reported that close to 300,000 homes across 14 towns and villages in the Eastern Cape faced power outages, while another 196,000 properties in 24 regions of KwaZulu-Natal were similarly affected. KwaZulu-Natal Transport Minister Siboniso Duma informed that heavy snowfall had immobilized trucks on major roads, resulting in extensive traffic congestion.
Grading machines have been deployed to clear key routes affected by the snowfall, which has reportedly accumulated over 30cm (12 inches) in some areas. Meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela has also warned of strong winds and high waves at sea, complicating maritime navigation.
While South Africa does experience snowfall during its winter months from June to August, climatic changes are leading to increasingly severe weather patterns, including heavier rainfall and flooding. Previous incidents, such as flash floods from April to May, resulted in damage to approximately 4,500 homes and left 18 people injured.
As the nation grapples with these unfortunate events, the focus remains on safety and recovery efforts in the affected communities.
