South Africa declares national disaster after floods kill at least 10

Severe weather across six provinces of South Africa since May 4 has brought heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, high winds and even snowfall, killing at least 10 people. The disaster has devastated informal settlements, with more than 10,000 structures damaged, including 26 settlements around Cape Town. The Western Cape government has closed schools and parts of the Table Mountain tourist area.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sadness, praised rescue teams and civil‑society assistance, and announced that the National Disaster Management Centre and cabinet will receive continual updates. A national state of disaster has been declared, allowing the use of emergency funds and coordinated response by national, provincial and municipal authorities. Experts note that extreme rainfall is intensifying across Southern Africa, also affecting Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The government says it is using science to better anticipate and respond to such events, following a similar national disaster earlier in the year that claimed 30 lives.