At least seven people have been confirmed dead in South Africa’s Eastern Cape following days of relentless storms that unleashed heavy flooding, bitter cold, and snowfall across several provinces. Emergency crews fear the toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue under challenging conditions.
The Eastern Cape has borne the brunt of the extreme weather, with swollen rivers submerging roads and isolating entire communities. The South African Weather Service has issued ongoing warnings, urging the public to avoid travel as flash flooding continues to pose serious risks.
In a particularly tragic incident, a minibus taxi carrying schoolchildren was swept away by floodwaters early Tuesday. While three learners were rescued alive, the exact number of those still missing remains unknown. Rescue operations were halted at dusk due to worsening visibility and safety concerns, with teams expected to resume at first light.
Disaster response units have been deployed to the worst-affected districts, coordinating emergency relief efforts and evacuations. Thousands have been displaced, and nearly half a million households have been left without electricity as storm-damaged infrastructure buckled under the pressure.
Although snowfall during winter is not unusual in parts of South Africa, meteorologists had issued early alerts last week warning of a particularly strong cold front. The storm’s scale and intensity have now disrupted services across multiple provinces.
Authorities are calling on residents to remain indoors, monitor weather updates, and cooperate with emergency personnel. Relief efforts are set to expand as forecasters predict continued adverse conditions throughout the week.