Torrential rains kill 32 in South Africa

Floods caused by torrential rains have killed at least 32 people and displaced thousands of others in South Africa.

Andries Nel, South African deputy minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, said on Monday that the heavy raining had displaced 3,000 people from their homes in the Lephalale Local Municipality in the northern part of the country.

“Regrettably, the present disaster events have resulted in 32 fatalities. These include 25 drownings. Six fatalities were also caused by lightning and one person died due to a collapsed wall,” Nel stated.

The South African official also said rescue operations were underway as a number of people were still trapped in their homes due to flooding. In addition, search efforts have begun to find people reported missing.

Over the past two weeks, torrential and persistent rains have pounded most parts of South Africa. The most affected areas are in the north and eastern parts of the country.

“There has been considerable damage to roads and bridges, houses, and water pumps, pipes and other water infrastructure. In some areas, communities are unable to access workplaces, health services, shelter and schools,” said Nel.

The downpours have also caused massive power outages in various parts of the country.

Experts say the rains were some of the heaviest experienced in South Africa in more than a decade.

Forecasts from the South African Weather Service expected flooding in the next days in the Mpumalanga and low-lying areas of Limpopo Province.