LIMPOPO – The Premier of Limpopo Dr Phophi Ramathuba says rescue teams are on standby as flooding ravages parts of the province.

Tropical moisture has brought widespread heavy rain across South Africa, with significant rainfall totals exceeding 100mm in several locations over the past three days, reports Vox Weather.

Videos of flooding in the Rooiberg area in Bela-Bela show a heavy overflow of water leading provincial government to issue a warning to residents to remain vigilant.

Current situation in Rooiberg, we are expecting flooding in Thabazimbi and Witpoort, Lephalale. While we have activated all our rescue teams to be on standby, we are calling upon everyone in those affected areas to remain vigilant pic.twitter.com/Sw1RxzDjJS

— Dr Phophi Ramathuba (@PhophiRamathuba) February 19, 2025

Ramathuba’s warning extends to residents in Bela-Bela, Thabazimbi, Witpoort and Lephalale.

The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety says the following roads are closed due to heavy rains and flooding:

• R510 road between Thabazimbi and Northam.
• D1235 road between Northam and Brits.

@TransportLimCom urges motorists to use alternative routes as heavy rains have led to the closure of the R510 between Thabazimbi and Northam and the D1235 between Northam and Brits.

📽️ – Supplied pic.twitter.com/NXYTM2wkwG

— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) February 19, 2025

According to local emergency WhatsApp groups, the R101 between Bela-Bela and Hamanskraal is also closed.

“Please use alternative routes and follow these guidelines to ensure your safety while driving. Reduce speed; use headlights to increase visibility; leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front and avoid driving through flooded areas,” said community safety spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene.

The South African Weather Service placed the South-Western region of Limpopo on a Level 5 disruptive rain warning for today (February 19).

The warning comes with a medium likelihood and significant impact with more rain expected into the weekend.

Limpopo has been battered by flooding over the past month as relentless rains have caused significant destruction to roads, schools, and homes.

In January, the Provincial Executive Committee met to assess the totality of the devastation caused by heavy rains across the province.

At the time, Ramathuba submitted comprehensive reports to national government to declare the rainfall a provincial disaster and unlock vital resources for recovery.

Read more: Limpopo to seek disaster declaration as flood damage mounts