Five people die in South African floods

By AFP 9 January 2022, 2:06 pm

Edit

Massive waves break on the Sea Point promenade in Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, July 13, 2020, as weather services predict gale force winds and heavy rains leading to flooding and cold conditions as well as ongoing rough seas. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)

At least five people, including a diver, are killed in flash flooding from torrential heavy rains in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, a senior regional official says.

“We have experienced five fatalities already, that includes a police… diver,” Oscar Mabuyane, the Eastern Cape provincial premier tells reporters while visiting affected areas.

Sudden rains pounded parts of the southern province including East London, on the Indian Ocean coast, yesterday.

Within hours, low lying areas were severely flooded, a local government official tells AFP. Among the worst hit is Mdantsane, a sprawling township on the outskirts of East London.