Overview

• At least 49 people have died after flooding and landslides ravaged Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with several schoolchildren among the victims when their bus was swept away near Mthatha.
• Nearly 500,000 households remain without electricity following heavy rain, snow and high winds that downed power lines and damaged grid infrastructure.
• Rural communities living in makeshift shelters have been cut off by floodwaters and mudslides, forcing hundreds into emergency shelters and tents.
• Gift of the Givers and government disaster teams are distributing blankets, food and warm clothing to stranded families in remote areas.
• The South African Weather Service warns that severe weather will persist through midweek, sustaining high alerts and road closures that complicate relief operations.