Limpopo and Mpumalanga are grappling with severe flooding, destroyed infrastructure, and widespread disruption as relentless heavy rains continue to batter the provinces.
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba described the situation as catastrophic, with roads washed away, bridges destroyed, and communities cut off from essential services and daily routines.
At least nine people have died due to the flooding seven in December and two since 1 January including a five-year-old boy whose parents were unable to save him.
The extreme weather follows a Level 5 warning issued by the South African Weather Service on Monday, alerting Gauteng, Free State, North West, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga to brace for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, flooding, road closures, and disruptions in low-lying settlements. Residents were urged to remain indoors and exercise caution.
By Wednesday, conditions in Mpumalanga had worsened, forcing schools in flood-affected areas to suspend teaching and learning. In Limpopo, the government advised that schools in affected regions should not open unless it is safe to do so.
Ramathuba said the floods have severely disrupted water and electricity infrastructure, destroyed schools, crippled health facilities, and displaced numerous families.
The provincial roads network has also been heavily affected, with at least 439 roads critically damaged, complicating travel and access for residents and emergency services.
“The assessment of vital areas will take time, as some locations are extremely difficult to reach due to the extent of the damage,” Ramathuba said.
Multi-disciplinary and disaster management teams have been deployed across Limpopo and Mpumalanga, racing against time to rescue stranded residents and mitigate the ongoing impact of the floods.
A Red Level 10 warning remains in place for both provinces as heavy rainfall continues to lash the region.