CAPE TOWN: At least 10 people have died due to extreme weather in several provinces in South Africa, Xinhua reported, quoting a statement issued by the Presidency on Monday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed condolences to the families of victims killed by heavy rain, flooding, thunderstorms, strong winds and snowfall.
The government has declared a national state of disaster through the National Disaster Management Centre due to deaths, infrastructure damage, service disruptions and community displacement.
The extreme weather has affected six provinces — Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Free State and Mpumalanga — since May 4.
Among the reported fatalities were a social worker killed when a tree fell on her car in Knysna, three people killed in Northern Cape flooding, and a 12-year-old girl swept away by floodwaters in North West province. Authorities in Western Cape also reported three additional deaths under investigation.
The South African Weather Service warned that heavy rainfall and damaging winds could continue through Tuesday. – BERNAMA-XINHUA
