Seven people have been confirmed dead, while at least four are missing in the floods that have ravaged parts of the Eastern Cape over the weekend.
One of the victims, Constable Elroy May from the Anti-Gang Unit in Gqeberha, lost his life when their police vehicle overturned due to severe weather conditions. The vehicle’s driver lost control, causing it to roll against the embankment and land on its roof.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has stated that all emergency services are currently conducting search and rescue operations.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed a helicopter to access and assess inaccessible areas. More than 500 residents have been evacuated and relocated, though 57 residents from Daku and Korea refused relocation due to concerns over their belongings.
Rescue organizations such as Gift of the Givers and Rescue South Africa have joined efforts to support the search and rescue operations. According to Gift of the Givers, some residents were unable to leave their houses due to high water levels and furniture blocking entryways. Water pumps are urgently needed to drain the water efficiently.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Two People Killed, Four Missing Amid Floods In Eastern Cape
The NGO has already donated about 1,000 blankets, warm clothing, personal hygiene items, and bags of nutritional cereal to the affected families. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has urged all residents to remain vigilant, keep updated with weather reports, and avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams.
Due to flooding and infrastructure damage, the Kariega Driving Licence Test Centre will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Officials will reassess the situation and provide prompt updates to the public.
Heavy rain leading to more floods is expected in several parts of the country on Monday. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms in the province, affecting areas such as the Central Karoo, Garden Route, Cape Winelands, and Overberg districts of the Western Cape. Additionally, an orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain resulting in floods has been issued for the coast of the Eastern Cape.
Severe thunderstorms are also expected over eastern parts of the Free State, Gauteng, northwestern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, and the Mpumalanga Highveld.
The SA Weather Service anticipates disruptive snow over the northeastern high ground of the Eastern Cape. Very cold, wet, and windy conditions with snowfalls are expected until Tuesday over several high-lying areas in various provinces.
