Emergency services in several provinces remain on high alert as more torrential rain is predicted. Several lives have already been lost.

Due to widespread flooding and further rain expected, Dr Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre, declared a national state of disaster, which was published in the Government Gazette yesterday.

The declaration was made after assessing the magnitude of the impact of the floods, which caused devastation in Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, the Free State, Gauteng, KZN, Limpopo and the North West. Floods have resulted in the loss of life, missing people, and damage to property, infrastructure and the environment.

The Lowvelder reports that the South African Weather Service has warned that February will be a wet month.
Residents in Mpumalanga can however expect less intense rain from tomorrow.

The southern half of the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga has been severely affected by floods, with many areas closed.

The Zululand Observer reports that residents are urged to remain vigilant amid a flood warning in KZN.

Tragedies

Two people are missing after they were swept away trying to cross a flooded river in Ngwavuma, while in the Danhausser municipality, another two people, Nokubonga Mchunu (22) and Thulani Mabaso (52), lost their lives while trying to cross a large body of water. In Newcastle Ward 25, an infant died after a house was flooded.

A woman was washed away in the Thelapi area, Wasbank district in KZN after over 100mm of rain fell in the greater Endumeni area in less than three hours.

The Northern Natal News reports that emergency services in Newcastle remain on high alert, with large parts of the town under water and roads closed.