South Africa declares national disaster, Mozambique in dire straits

Heavy rains and powerful storms have caused widespread flooding in South Africa and Mozambique. The South African government officially declared the country a national disaster area on Sunday (January 18). AFP reports
At least 30 people have died in the northeastern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga after weeks of heavy rains and storms. The floods have destroyed scores of homes and left many homeless.
Elias Sithole, head of the country’s National Disaster Management Centre, has declared the current situation a national disaster. The floods have also affected neighboring Mozambique. Entire settlements have been submerged as rivers overflowed in many areas. Thousands of people are fleeing their homes in search of safe shelter.
The country’s citizens are living in inhumane conditions. Chauna Makuaka, a resident of Mozambique’s Gaza province, told AFP that her sister-in-law was trapped on her roof for four days. There she gave birth. But the mother and newborn have not yet received any help.
According to the Mozambican government, at least eight people have died in the country since December 21. However, the death toll is expected to rise as the number of missing people is high.
In this situation, the South African government has sent a rescue team to southern Mozambique to assist in the rescue operation. Authorities fear that the death toll could rise in the coming hours as the rescue operation is delayed.