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South Africa declares a national disaster over flooding and severe weather
At least 30 deaths and thousands of homes damaged in Limpopo and Mpumalanga prompt national disaster declaration, with ongoing rescue and relief operations led by the National Disaster Management Centre.
- On Sunday, Ellas Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre, declared a national disaster after floods killed at least 30 people and damaged thousands of homes in South Africa.
- Persistent La Niña and a quasi-stationary low-pressure system in early January intensified the Intertropical Convergence Zone, producing multi-day convective storms and heavy rains after late December 2025.
- The South African Weather Service recorded localized rainfall totals approaching 400 mm and issued a Level 10 red alert over Limpopo and Mpumalanga, while Kruger National Park closed visitor gates and about 600 tourists and staff were evacuated to higher ground.
- INGD and the World Food Programme report more than 200 000 people affected, tens of thousands relocated, and about 70 000 ha of cropland destroyed as of January 17, 2026.
- National emergency services warn river levels remain critically high and further rainfall could extend the crisis through February, while hydrological gauges along the Limpopo and Save rivers show persistently high flows.
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37 Articles
37 Articles
Authorities have declared a national state of disaster following heavy rains and flooding in northern South Africa. At least 30 people have died and thousands of homes have been damaged.
·Hamburg, Germany
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The torrential rains and floods caused the death of at least 30 people in the northern part of the country, damaged thousands of homes and destroyed roads and bridges.
·Portugal
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Associated Press News+23 Reposted by 23 other sources
South Africa declares a national disaster over flooding and severe weather
South Africa has declared a national disaster over torrential rains and floods. The severe weather has killed at least 30 people in the northern part of the country.
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources37
Leaning Left11Leaning Right4Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Center
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
48% Center
L 38%
C 48%
14%
Factuality
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