2025 South Africa floods
| Location | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Cause | Torrential rain, heavy winds, snow |
| Deaths | 98 |
| Property damage | Homes, vehicles, schools, health care facilities, buses |
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The 2025 South Africa floods occurred in June 2025 and were caused by torrential rain, heavy winds, and snow that swept through Cape Town, South Africa, causing dozens of deaths and displacing thousands.[1] A powerful cold front had swept through Cape Town and neighboring provinces beginning 10 June 2025.[2] The storm caused rivers to burst their banks producing floodwaters of up to 3–4 metres (10–13 ft) deep around Mthatha, leading to homes, vehicles, buses, and individuals caught off guard to be swept away,[2] People were stranded on rooftops and in trees awaiting rescue following the storms. The city (Mthatha) is near the village of Qunu, birthplace of Nelson Mandela, the late anti-apartheid hero and former president.[3]
On 18 June, a national disaster was declared, one week after the floods began.[4]
Background
[edit]Warnings of dangerous weather—heavy rain, flooding, strong coastal waves, and snow—were issued several days in advance, though the scale of destruction surpassed expectations.[5]
According to the Green Climate Fund, South Africa is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate variability and change, which increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather.[6][improper synthesis?]
Toll and impact
[edit]As of 12 June 2025, at least 57 people had been confirmed dead, and dozens more were still missing.[2] By 19 June, the death toll had risen to 92 according to The Washington Post.[7] On 23 June, The Witness newspaper of South Africa reported that the death toll has increased to 98.[8] Officials also stated that 2,686 residents had been left homeless.[9]
Oscar Mabuyane, the premier of Eastern Cape province, said that the floods began in the middle of the night, leaving many unaware of what was about to occur and that they should prepare.[10]
Rescue efforts were hampered by limited resources available. Reportedly, only one helicopter was available locally, and there were no K9 units or specialist divers to assist with search efforts.[2] On 13 June, a second helicopter joined the rescue effort.[10]
Earlier estimates on 11 June reported that there were at least 40 deaths, but officials warned that the death toll could rise.[11] Hundreds of thousands of homes had lost power, more than 127 schools and 20 health-care facilities were damaged, over one thousand people were displaced, and critical infrastructure (bridges, roads, etc.) was badly damaged.[2] Thousands of houses, roads, schools and health facilities were left caked in mud after being completely submerged in floodwaters.[3] Some of the victims were washed up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from their homes by the floods.[12]
Mthatha Dam theory
[edit]In the days following the floods, Mchunu advised locals of a theory being spread online that is inaccurate that the floods were caused by someone opening the sluice gates at the Mthatha Dam, causing water to surge into the communities.[12] Mchunu dismissed the claims and said the dam in question did not have sluice gates.[12]
Incidents
[edit]High school bus crash
[edit]People Magazine reported on 11 June that on the prior day, a high school bus carrying 13 students and two adults was swept away near Mthatha, resulting in the deaths of six students and two adults, with four students still missing. Three students survived by clinging to trees. The incident alone accounted for a substantial portion of the fatalities.[13]
Response
[edit]Local
[edit]Many local people condemned chronic neglect of infrastructure in impoverished rural areas, stating that poor maintenance and underinvestment exacerbated the effect of the floods.[14] Rescuers went door to door searching for bodies or possible survivors, after people became stuck inside their homes when the water rushed in during the night.[3] Forensic Pathology Services along with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Gift of the Givers Foundation were part of the search party.[3]
State
[edit]On 15 June, Provincial Government issued a statement confirming that water and electricity had been restored in various parts of OR Tambo District.[15] They also confirmed the reopening of all major roads and that classes at local schools had resumed.[15]
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National
[edit]The National Disaster Management Centre has been activated. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Eastern Cape on 13 June to oversee relief efforts; while visiting, he blamed the flooding on climate change.[3][2] Some opposition political party members criticized the response of the Government and President.[10]
On 18 June, a week after the floods began, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has declared a national disaster in South Africa following severe weather in the country.[4] National Disaster Management Centre head Elias Sithole said that the magnitude of extensive damage warranted a national response.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "South Africa floods: Nearly 50 people have been killed following torrential rains". www.bbc.com. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Death toll in South Africa floods rises to 57 as official says rescue attempts were 'paralyzed'". AP News. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Usaini, Nebianet (14 June 2025). "Death Toll In South African Floods Rises To 86". Channels Television. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "National state of disaster declared in South Africa". Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ Imray, Gerald (10 June 2025). "At least 7 people have died and schoolchildren were swept away as floods and snow hit South Africa". AP News. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ Fund, Green Climate (29 October 2021). "Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate- intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa". Green Climate Fund. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ Gumede | AP, Michelle (19 June 2025). "South Africa declares national disaster as flooding death toll rises to 92". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ Magaba, Nompilo (23 June 2025). "Updated: Death toll rises to 100 as Mthatha flood devastation deepens". The Witness. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Death toll in South African floods rises to 90". The Times of India. 16 June 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "South Africa floods leave at least 78 dead as official says rescue attempts were 'paralyzed'". PBS News. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Over 49 people died in flooding in South Africa". Emirates News Agency - WAM. Johannesburg, South Africa. 12 June 2025. Archived from the original on 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Rescuers still pulling bodies out of the water as death toll in South Africa floods reaches 86". ABC News. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Frankel, Jillian. "Bodies of 6 Students Found After Floods Swept Away Their Bus. Officials Are Still Searching for More". People.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ Wexler, Alexandra. "Scores Killed in Heavy Flooding in South Africa". WSJ. Archived from the original on 11 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b Newspaper, The Peninsula (15 June 2025). "Flood death toll hits 88 in South Africa's Eastern Cape as recovery efforts continue". thepeninsulaqatar.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.