The official death toll from the recent floods that ravaged South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province has climbed to 100, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday, as emergency teams continue to comb through affected areas in search of missing persons.
The floods, which hit the province earlier this month, unleashed widespread devastation, claiming lives, damaging homes, and crippling key infrastructure. Communities across the region have been left grappling with the aftermath, as roads, bridges, and water supply systems were swept away or rendered unusable.
In a detailed update, the Eastern Cape provincial government reported that 94 of the victims have so far been identified and their remains returned to families for burial. Identification efforts for the remaining six bodies are still underway. The human toll includes 63 adults and 37 children, among them 22 school learners—a reflection of the scale of loss endured by local communities.
The OR Tambo District, which experienced the worst of the flooding, accounts for 76 of the total fatalities. Authorities warned that the numbers could increase as search and rescue operations continue. Several people are still missing, with family members and relatives anxiously awaiting news as emergency personnel persist with recovery efforts.
“Reports of missing persons are still coming in, and search operations are ongoing in the most affected locations,” the provincial government stated, acknowledging the continued trauma faced by communities.
Beyond the loss of life, the floods have severely impacted access to basic services. Although water supply has been restored to about 95 percent of the affected zones in OR Tambo District, some areas remain without running water. Emergency water tankers have been deployed to bridge the gap, ensuring residents have at least minimal access to clean water.
Repair work is progressing, with government response teams working around the clock to rebuild roads, reconnect disrupted water lines, and restore electricity in flood-hit areas. The province has also pledged to accelerate recovery efforts aimed at restoring stability and helping displaced residents regain a sense of normalcy.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that all affected individuals receive the necessary support to rebuild their lives,” the statement read. “Recovery programs are being implemented with urgency to address both immediate needs and long-term reconstruction.”
As families mourn and communities begin the long road to recovery, the Eastern Cape faces the dual challenge of honoring those lost while rebuilding what has been destroyed. The full impact of the disaster is still unfolding, but authorities insist that their focus remains firmly on saving lives, restoring dignity, and laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient province.