The official death toll from the catastrophic floods that struck South Africa’s Eastern Cape earlier this month has risen to 102, with two children still missing, according to the latest update from provincial authorities.

The floods, triggered by a cold front on June 9–10, devastated communities in the OR Tambo and Amathole districts, sweeping away homes, cutting power and water supplies, and displacing thousands.

Among the deceased are 39 children, including a 12-month-old infant, and 63 adults. Authorities have identified 96 of the victims, while six bodies remain unidentified due to decomposition, requiring DNA testing.

Zolile Williams, a senior provincial official, described the disaster as “one of the most agonising chapters” in the region’s history, emphasizing the emotional and infrastructural toll on affected communities.

The South African government has declared a state of national disaster, unlocking emergency funds for relief and reconstruction. The estimated cost to rebuild damaged infrastructure stands at R5.1 billion (approx. $288 million USD).

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who visited the worst-hit areas on June 13, attributed the floods to climate change, echoing findings from the World Meteorological Organization’s 2024 report, which linked El Niño and other climatic shifts to a surge in extreme weather events across Africa.

Recovery efforts are ongoing, with search and rescue teams, including SAPS and EMS helicopters, continuing to comb flood-hit zones for the missing. Aid agencies such as Gift of the Givers are providing food, water, and medical supplies.

The Department of Social Development is offering trauma counseling, while mobile units from Home Affairs are helping survivors replace lost identity documents. Over 4,000 people remain displaced, many housed in temporary shelters.

Meanwhile, a new cold front has battered the Western Cape, causing additional flooding in Cape Town and surrounding areas, raising concerns about the country’s preparedness for future climate-related disasters.

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