Devastating Floods and Snow Rescue Efforts Disrupted in South Africa

Heavy flooding and snow in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have caused significant disruptions, including a minibus accident with schoolchildren and power outages affecting nearly 500,000 homes.

In a tragic turn of events, a minibus transporting schoolchildren has been swept away by severe floods in South Africa, officials reported. According to Khuselwa Rantjie, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape provincial government, while the exact number of children on the bus remains uncertain, three have been rescued alive. Rescue operations paused due to nighttime conditions and will resume on Wednesday.

Separately, the bodies of seven individuals lost to the floodwaters were discovered in the OR Tambo district. The adverse weather, featuring heavy snow, rainfall, and strong winds, has already led to the deaths of five more people in a road incident, compounded by extensive power outages affecting almost 500,000 homes.

The Eastern Cape, noted as the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, has been ravaged by icy conditions, alongside KwaZulu-Natal, where the extreme weather has rendered several major roads impassable, prompting safety warnings. Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane called the events a "devastating reminder of nature's force" and urged the public to take extra precautions in flood-prone areas.

The road accident occurred near East London when a minibus taxi overturned as the driver lost control trying to dodge a fallen tree, according to transport department representative Unathi Binqose. State utility Eskom reported that power cuts affected nearly 300,000 homes across 14 locations in Eastern Cape, with additional outages in 24 areas of KwaZulu-Natal, impacting about 196,000 households.

Transport Minister Siboniso Duma noted that heavy snowfall has stranded trucks, leading to crippling traffic congestion. Grader machines are being deployed to clear roads, where snow accumulation has reached over 30cm (12 inches). Meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela warned of impending strong winds and dangerous sea conditions, complicating maritime navigation.

While South Africa typically experiences snowfall during winter from June to August, recent climate changes are resulting in heavier rains and flooding. Previous incidents, such as flash floods in late April, have already demonstrated the region's vulnerability, causing extensive damage to thousands of homes and injuring dozens.