Flooding in South Africa

Heavy rain and winds have hit South Africa's Western Cape Province, including Cape Town, causing widespread flooding leaving a trail of destruction. At least 11 people have been killed and authorities have warned the death toll may rise as the floodwater subsides.

The destructive weather flooded homes, tore off roofs, destroyed crops, damaged roads, and other infrastructure. The Bot River broke its banks in the town of Botrivier, flooding wide areas. More than 80 roads are closed and at least 15,000 homes cut off from the power grid.

Climate change has been blamed for some recent weather-related incidents in South Africa. In 2022, flooding in KwaZulu-Natal led to the deaths of more than 430 people, while the coastal city of Gqeberha almost ran out of water last year.