Death Toll From South African Floods Climbs to 86

The death toll from the devastating floods that have battered South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has risen to 86, according to officials on Friday, as search and rescue teams continued to comb through the debris for missing persons.

The floods, triggered by torrential rainfall over several days, have left a trail of destruction, washing away homes, damaging infrastructure, and displacing hundreds of residents. Authorities have confirmed that dozens are still unaccounted for, raising concerns that the number of fatalities could increase further.

Emergency response units, including disaster management teams, are still engaged in recovery efforts. Many affected communities remain without access to clean water and electricity, with roads and bridges either submerged or severely damaged.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who visited the disaster-stricken region, described the scale of the disaster as “heartbreaking” and offered condolences to the bereaved families. “We are committed to helping the affected areas recover and rebuild,” he said, adding that national and provincial agencies have been mobilized to provide food, shelter, and essential services.

South Africa’s weather service has warned of continued rainfall in some parts of the Eastern Cape, advising residents to remain vigilant and follow official updates. The government has also issued alerts to prepare for possible further evacuations if weather conditions worsen.

The current floods are among the deadliest natural disasters to hit the province in recent years, drawing comparisons to the 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods, which claimed over 400 lives. Relief organizations are calling for urgent support to assist those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to assist with rescue operations and deliver aid to isolated communities. Humanitarian agencies, including the Red Cross, are on the ground distributing food parcels, blankets, and medical supplies.

As the nation grieves, calls are growing for better disaster preparedness and long-term investment in infrastructure to prevent future tragedies of this scale.