South Africa declares national disaster as Eastern Cape floods kill 101

28/6/2025 7:55

A national disaster has been declared in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province after recent devastating floods killed 101 people and caused widespread destruction.



"The South African government has officially declared a national disaster in response to the widespread destruction caused by the severe weather, following a comprehensive assessment of the ongoing crisis," said Zolile Williams, Eastern Cape's member of the Executive Council for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, in a statement issued Thursday by the provincial government.



"The declaration, made in terms of the Disaster Management Act, comes amid heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds, and snowfall that have battered parts of the country, with the Eastern Cape being the hardest hit," he said.



As of Thursday, 101 people had died as a result of the disastrous weather conditions that hit the province, including 38 children, he added.