South Africa has been hit by more flooding, causing widespread damage and fatalities. At least 2 people have lost their lives and 5 are still missing in recent flooding, and authorities have opened flood gates in various locations as dam levels remain dangerously high.
Officials said they are continuing to monitor communities hit by floods, following weeks of heavy rains.
The Eastern Cape Province has been severely affected, with severe flooding in Coffee Bay and surrounding areas of King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality, resulting in the loss of 2 lives and leaving 4 people missing.
Komani has also been affected, with more than 100 people rescued and one person swept away by the floods.
In Mpumalanga Province, the Lekwa Municipality has been hit hard, forcing families to evacuate as buildings and infrastructure were damaged. Meanwhile, in Ladysmith in the KwaZulu-Natal province, the Klipriver broke its banks, flooding homes and commercial buildings but with no reported injuries or fatalities.
Efforts are underway to relocate residents of Deelpan village in the North West Province, where the entire village is almost submerged.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has urged communities along the Vaal Dam and Orange River to consider evacuation due to possible flooding, as floodgates have been opened at several dams, including the Vaal, Vanderkloof, and Bloemhof.
The department warned of high-water levels and potential flooding in Douglas at the confluence of the Vaal and Orange rivers.