Flooding caused by torrential rain and fierce winds on South Africa's eastern coast have killed at least 22 people, local authorities said on Tuesday.

Flooding hit several locations in two eastern provinces, two rare tornados were spotted, temperatures plunged and snow fell in some central regions. &nbsp;

At least 11 people died in Eastern Cape, a spokesperson from Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, at the heart of the floods, told AFP.

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More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from Nelson Mandela Bay, notably from makeshift homes in the municipality's slums.

Local authorities launched an appeal for donations of clothing, food and blankets.

The provincial government in neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal also said at least 11 people had died in and around the port city of Durban. &nbsp;

Provincial authorities declared a state of alert in KwaZulu-Natal.

A provincial government statement said "55 people suffered minor to moderate injuries and are receiving medical treatment in hospital.&nbsp;

"At least 120 people have been displaced and three temporary shelters have been established," it added.

Durban and its surrounding area in 2022 was the site of the worst flooding in South Africa's history, which provoked mudslides that killed more than 400 people.

Rescue services were deployed in both affected provinces on Monday night.

Homes were flattened, roads flooded and trees felled.

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Some places suffered energy blackouts.

The national meteorological institute says South Africa is in the grip of a "cut off low" pressure system, marked by heavy rains and a cold snap that can also bring hail, snow and strong winds.

Heavy rainfall has hit the eastern Indian Ocean coast, and meteorological services have published weather alerts in four of the southern African country's nine provinces.

Flooding caused by torrential rain and fierce winds on South Africa's eastern coast have killed at least 22 people, local authorities said on Tuesday. Flooding hit several locations in two eastern provinces, two rare tornados were spotted, temperatures plunged and snow fell in some central regions.

Flooding caused by torrential rain and fierce winds on South Africa's eastern coast have killed at least 22 people, local authorities said on Tuesday. Flooding hit several locations in two eastern provinces, two rare tornados were spotted, temperatures plunged and snow fell in some central regions. At least 11 people died in Eastern Cape, a spokesperson from Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, at the heart of the floods, told AFP. Also read: Putin succession plan? Daughters appear at key economic summit to support Dad More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from Nelson Mandela Bay, notably from makeshift homes in the municipality's slums. Local authorities launched an appeal for donations of clothing, food and blankets. The provincial government in neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal also said at least 11 people had died in and around the port city of Durban. Provincial authorities declared a state of alert in KwaZulu-Natal. A provincial government statement said "55 people suffered minor to moderate injuries and are receiving medical treatment in hospital. "At least 120 people have been displaced and three temporary shelters have been established," it added. Durban and its surrounding area in 2022 was the site of the worst flooding in South Africa's history, which provoked mudslides that killed more than 400 people. Rescue services were deployed in both affected provinces on Monday night. Homes were flattened, roads flooded and trees felled. Also read: 11 hospitalised for heat exhaustion at Trump rally in Arizona Some places suffered energy blackouts. The national meteorological institute says South Africa is in the grip of a "cut off low" pressure system, marked by heavy rains and a cold snap that can also bring hail, snow and strong winds. Heavy rainfall has hit the eastern Indian Ocean coast, and meteorological services have published weather alerts in four of the southern African country's nine provinces.

South African floods kill at least 22 people

''Unprecedented'' floods have battered South Africa's east coast with the death toll rising to 443 on Sunday.

The premier of the KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN), Sihle Zikala a told media briefing "The death toll now stands at 443."

He added that at least 63 people are still missing but troops deployed by the South African National Defence Force are still looking for them.

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Power has been knocked out due to the floods. Persistent rains have also left thousands of people homeless.&nbsp;

Operations at Durban, one of Africa's busiest ports, and the surrounding eThekwini metropolitan area have also been disrupted.&nbsp;

As per officials, the restoration of those services will take at least a week.

Education Minister Angie Motshekga said “This is a catastrophe and the damage is unprecedented. What is even more worrying is that more rain is expected in the same areas that are already affected.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/death-toll-from-south-africas-worst-flood-on-record-reaches-306-470872">Also see |&nbsp;Death toll from South Africa's 'worst flood on record' nears 400</a>

President Cyril Ramaphosa visted several areas hit by the floods that caused mudslides. To release funds for helping in repair of the damage, Ramaphosa also held an emergency Cabinet meeting to declare the floods a national disaster.

"It is very unfortunate because ... we are coming back from a very traumatic two and a half years, and we actually had been building very nicely January, February, March in terms of our tourism numbers," said Ravi Pillay, a KZN official responsible for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs.

"We were looking forward to that proverbial bumper Easter, but it was not to be," he added.

The cost of the damage caused by the floods has exceeded $10 billion as per Pillay.

Almost 70 per cent of the hotels in South Africa are fully occupied. Pillay estimated 30 per cent cancellations over the weekend by tourists. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

''Unprecedented'' floods have battered South Africa's east coast with the death toll rising to 443 on Sunday. The premier of the KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN), Sihle Zikala a told media briefing "The death toll now stands at 443.

''Unprecedented'' floods have battered South Africa's east coast with the death toll rising to 443 on Sunday. The premier of the KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN), Sihle Zikala a told media briefing "The death toll now stands at 443." He added that at least 63 people are still missing but troops deployed by the South African National Defence Force are still looking for them. Power has been knocked out due to the floods. Persistent rains have also left thousands of people homeless. Operations at Durban, one of Africa's busiest ports, and the surrounding eThekwini metropolitan area have also been disrupted. As per officials, the restoration of those services will take at least a week. Education Minister Angie Motshekga said “This is a catastrophe and the damage is unprecedented. What is even more worrying is that more rain is expected in the same areas that are already affected.” Also see | Death toll from South Africa's 'worst flood on record' nears 400 President Cyril Ramaphosa visted several areas hit by the floods that caused mudslides. To release funds for helping in repair of the damage, Ramaphosa also held an emergency Cabinet meeting to declare the floods a national disaster. "It is very unfortunate because ... we are coming back from a very traumatic two and a half years, and we actually had been building very nicely January, February, March in terms of our tourism numbers," said Ravi Pillay, a KZN official responsible for economic development, tourism and environmental affairs. "We were looking forward to that proverbial bumper Easter, but it was not to be," he added. The cost of the damage caused by the floods has exceeded $10 billion as per Pillay. Almost 70 per cent of the hotels in South Africa are fully occupied. Pillay estimated 30 per cent cancellations over the weekend by tourists. (With inputs from agencies)

'Unprecedented' floods battter South Africa, death toll rises to 443

Death toll from South Africa's 'worst flood on record' nears 400

Police, army and volunteer rescuers on Friday widened the search for dozens still missing five days after the deadliest storm to strike&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa's coastal city of Durban in living memory as the death toll rose to nearly 400.

The&nbsp;floods, which affected nearly 41,000, left a trail of destruction and at least 395 people dead, regional head of the disaster managing ministry Sipho Hlomuka said.

With the government&nbsp;coordinating the search-and-rescue operation, the official number of people missing in KwaZulu-Natal province stood at 55.

A fleet of cars and helicopters carrying police experts set out early Friday to comb through a valley in Marianhill suburb, west of Durban, to look for 12 people reported missing in the&nbsp;floods, AFP correspondents said.

It is an increasingly desperate search for survivors.

Travis Trower, a director for the volunteer-run organisation Rescue&nbsp;South&nbsp;Africa, said his teams had found only corpses after following up 85 calls on Thursday.

President Cyril Ramaphosa -- recalling the Covid 19 pandemic and the deadly July riots, described the&nbsp;floods&nbsp;as "a catastrophe of enormous proportions... not seen before in our country" -- urged Good Friday prayers for survivors.

"Just as we thought it was safe to get out of (the Covid) disaster, we have another disaster, a natural disaster descending on our country, particularly on our KwaZulu-Natal province.

"The&nbsp;floods&nbsp;have cause a lot of devastation a lot of havoc," he said.

"Let us pray for our people in KwaZulu-Natal so that they receive the healing that is required... so that they can get on with their lives," Ramaphosa told El-Shaddai Tabernacle church congregants in the eastern town of Ermelo.

Thousands of survivors, left homeless after their houses were destroyed, are being housed in shelters scattered across the city, sleeping on cardboard sheets and mattresses on the floors.

Housing minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, told reporters 13,593 houses have been damaged, with nearly 4,000 of them totally destroyed.&nbsp;

Meanwhile volunteers, with gloves and trash bags, fanned across the city's beaches to pick up debris left by the massive storms ahead of an expected surge of Easter weekend holidaymakers.

'Absolute devastation'

Software manager Morne Mustard, 35, was among the scores of volunteers, who included children, picking up debris and &nbsp;broken reeds from Durban's famous Umhlanga beach.

"This is my local beach where I bring my kids, and this is where we spend our weekend, so this is for our community,".

He roped in workmates, families and friends to help clean up as beach restaurants offered free breakfast for the volunteers.

Recalling the day the rain fell, Mustard said, "It didn't feel real, absolute devastation, a horrendous sight, stuff spilling out on the beach must have come from someone's house... brooms and mops, household utensils, it was such a heart sore to see."

Some of Durban's poorest residents have been lining up to collect water from burst pipes and dug through layers of mud to retrieve their scant possessions.

Ramaphosa declared the region a state of disaster to unlock relief funds.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika television Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said an initial tranche of a billion rand ($68 million) in emergency relief funding was immediately available.

Weather forecasters said apocalyptic levels of rain were dumped on the region over&nbsp;several days.

Some areas received more than 450 millimetres&nbsp;(18 inches) over 48 hours, or nearly half of Durban's annual rainfall, the national weather service said.

The&nbsp;South&nbsp;African Weather Service issued an Easter weekend warning of thunderstorms and flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.

"According to the warning that we have received, damaging winds are forecast for areas along the coast from midday (Friday) into Saturday evening," said Hlomuka, adding disaster teams were on "high alert".

Over 4,000 police officers have been deployed to help with relief efforts and maintain law and order amid reports of sporadic looting.

The Durban port, one of the southern hemisphere's largest, resumed shipping operations on Thursday afternoon, after closing during the&nbsp;floods, state logistics firm Transnet.

Police, army and volunteer rescuers on Friday widened the search for dozens still missing five days after the deadliest storm to strike South Africa's coastal city of Durban in living memory as the death toll rose to nearly 400.

Police, army and volunteer rescuers on Friday widened the search for dozens still missing five days after the deadliest storm to strike South Africa's coastal city of Durban in living memory as the death toll rose to nearly 400. The floods, which affected nearly 41,000, left a trail of destruction and at least 395 people dead, regional head of the disaster managing ministry Sipho Hlomuka said. With the government coordinating the search-and-rescue operation, the official number of people missing in KwaZulu-Natal province stood at 55. A fleet of cars and helicopters carrying police experts set out early Friday to comb through a valley in Marianhill suburb, west of Durban, to look for 12 people reported missing in the floods, AFP correspondents said. It is an increasingly desperate search for survivors. Travis Trower, a director for the volunteer-run organisation Rescue South Africa, said his teams had found only corpses after following up 85 calls on Thursday. President Cyril Ramaphosa -- recalling the Covid 19 pandemic and the deadly July riots, described the floods as "a catastrophe of enormous proportions... not seen before in our country" -- urged Good Friday prayers for survivors. "Just as we thought it was safe to get out of (the Covid) disaster, we have another disaster, a natural disaster descending on our country, particularly on our KwaZulu-Natal province. "The floods have cause a lot of devastation a lot of havoc," he said. "Let us pray for our people in KwaZulu-Natal so that they receive the healing that is required... so that they can get on with their lives," Ramaphosa told El-Shaddai Tabernacle church congregants in the eastern town of Ermelo. Thousands of survivors, left homeless after their houses were destroyed, are being housed in shelters scattered across the city, sleeping on cardboard sheets and mattresses on the floors. Housing minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, told reporters 13,593 houses have been damaged, with nearly 4,000 of them totally destroyed. Meanwhile volunteers, with gloves and trash bags, fanned across the city's beaches to pick up debris left by the massive storms ahead of an expected surge of Easter weekend holidaymakers. 'Absolute devastation' Software manager Morne Mustard, 35, was among the scores of volunteers, who included children, picking up debris and broken reeds from Durban's famous Umhlanga beach. "This is my local beach where I bring my kids, and this is where we spend our weekend, so this is for our community,". He roped in workmates, families and friends to help clean up as beach restaurants offered free breakfast for the volunteers. Recalling the day the rain fell, Mustard said, "It didn't feel real, absolute devastation, a horrendous sight, stuff spilling out on the beach must have come from someone's house... brooms and mops, household utensils, it was such a heart sore to see." Some of Durban's poorest residents have been lining up to collect water from burst pipes and dug through layers of mud to retrieve their scant possessions. Ramaphosa declared the region a state of disaster to unlock relief funds. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika television Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said an initial tranche of a billion rand ($68 million) in emergency relief funding was immediately available. Weather forecasters said apocalyptic levels of rain were dumped on the region over several days. Some areas received more than 450 millimetres (18 inches) over 48 hours, or nearly half of Durban's annual rainfall, the national weather service said. The South African Weather Service issued an Easter weekend warning of thunderstorms and flooding in KwaZulu-Natal. "According to the warning that we have received, damaging winds are forecast for areas along the coast from midday (Friday) into Saturday evening," said Hlomuka, adding disaster teams were on "high alert". Over 4,000 police officers have been deployed to help with relief efforts and maintain law and order amid reports of sporadic looting. The Durban port, one of the southern hemisphere's largest, resumed shipping operations on Thursday afternoon, after closing during the floods, state logistics firm Transnet.

South Africa flood toll nears 400 as rescuers search for missing

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-floods-mudslides-kill-33-children-missing-213074">death toll from floods and mudslides in South Africa</a> has risen to 51, a local official said on Wednesday. President Cyril Ramaphosa flew into the deluged eastern region of the country.

"Unfortunately the numbers have risen to 51. In previous years we have tried to remove people from low-lying areas," a regional minister, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, told SA FM radio.

Heavy rains have lashed South Africa in recent days, with the southern and eastern parts of the country badly hit since the start of Easter weekend.

Ramaphosa said that during times like these we should work together to reach out to affected communities.

"Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury and the loss of property," Ramaphosa said in a statement.

"This situation calls on all of us to pull together as a country to reach out to affected communities," Ramaphose added.

Rescuers continue to comb debris for those who might be trapped underneath landslides. South African military personnel have been dispatched to help rescue and evacuation efforts.

The death toll from floods and mudslides in South Africa has risen to 51, a local official said on Wednesday. President Cyril Ramaphosa flew into the deluged eastern region of the country.

The death toll from floods and mudslides in South Africa has risen to 51, a local official said on Wednesday. President Cyril Ramaphosa flew into the deluged eastern region of the country. "Unfortunately the numbers have risen to 51. In previous years we have tried to remove people from low-lying areas," a regional minister, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, told SA FM radio. Heavy rains have lashed South Africa in recent days, with the southern and eastern parts of the country badly hit since the start of Easter weekend. Ramaphosa said that during times like these we should work together to reach out to affected communities. "Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury and the loss of property," Ramaphosa said in a statement. "This situation calls on all of us to pull together as a country to reach out to affected communities," Ramaphose added. Rescuers continue to comb debris for those who might be trapped underneath landslides. South African military personnel have been dispatched to help rescue and evacuation efforts.

South Africa president heads to floods hotspot as death toll rises to 51

The death toll from floods and mudslides that crushed homes in the South African port of Durban on Tuesday has risen to 33, with reports of children missing and scores of people displaced, authorities said.

"Heavy rains have since claimed 33 lives so far," Nomusa Dube-Ncube, a KwaZulu-Natal provincial minister said in a statement.

Among those killed were a six-month-old baby and a child aged around 10.

She added that 10 children are missing in Durban and 42 people have been injured.

An AFP photographer saw two of the nine bodies -- including that of a small child -- being pulled out of a house belonging to a school caretaker in Westcliff, a working class suburb on the outskirts of Durban.

The victims were buried under a wall that had collapsed on them while they were sleeping.

At least 145 people have been displaced, the government said.

A Hindu temple in the city was entirely flooded with water levels of up to 10 metres (33 feet), the photographer reported.

Heavy rains have lashed South Africa in recent days, with the southern and eastern parts of the country badly hit since the start of Easter weekend.

"Last night the weather conditions worsened significantly," Dube-Ncube said.

The government said dozens of incidents of collapsed walls and flooded homes were reported throughout the night, as roads were also flooded.

Those killed were either crushed to death by mudslides or drowned in flood waters, Rescue Care spokesman Garrith Jamieson told AFP.

Search and rescue operations have combed the debris for those who might be trapped underneath.

In addition to collapsed buildings and flooded roads, sewer lines were blocked and electricity pylons had toppled over.

South African military personnel have been dispatched to help rescue and evacuation efforts.

Government, political and religious groups were Tuesday handing out food parcels to the affected people.

The South African Weather Services warned that more heavy rain and gale force winds were expected until Wednesday, which could threaten low-lying bridges and roads.&nbsp;

The death toll from floods and mudslides that crushed homes in the South African port of Durban on Tuesday has risen to 33, with reports of children missing and scores of people displaced, authorities said.

The death toll from floods and mudslides that crushed homes in the South African port of Durban on Tuesday has risen to 33, with reports of children missing and scores of people displaced, authorities said. "Heavy rains have since claimed 33 lives so far," Nomusa Dube-Ncube, a KwaZulu-Natal provincial minister said in a statement. Among those killed were a six-month-old baby and a child aged around 10. She added that 10 children are missing in Durban and 42 people have been injured. An AFP photographer saw two of the nine bodies -- including that of a small child -- being pulled out of a house belonging to a school caretaker in Westcliff, a working class suburb on the outskirts of Durban. The victims were buried under a wall that had collapsed on them while they were sleeping. At least 145 people have been displaced, the government said. A Hindu temple in the city was entirely flooded with water levels of up to 10 metres (33 feet), the photographer reported. Heavy rains have lashed South Africa in recent days, with the southern and eastern parts of the country badly hit since the start of Easter weekend. "Last night the weather conditions worsened significantly," Dube-Ncube said. The government said dozens of incidents of collapsed walls and flooded homes were reported throughout the night, as roads were also flooded. Those killed were either crushed to death by mudslides or drowned in flood waters, Rescue Care spokesman Garrith Jamieson told AFP. Search and rescue operations have combed the debris for those who might be trapped underneath. In addition to collapsed buildings and flooded roads, sewer lines were blocked and electricity pylons had toppled over. South African military personnel have been dispatched to help rescue and evacuation efforts. Government, political and religious groups were Tuesday handing out food parcels to the affected people. The South African Weather Services warned that more heavy rain and gale force winds were expected until Wednesday, which could threaten low-lying bridges and roads.