A national state of disaster has been declared over flooding in South Africa.
Seven out of nine provinces in the country are currently battling the flood.
The declaration would enable an intensive response to the impact of the flood.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the national state of disaster on Tuesday.
It is a strategy similar to what it did during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, it was used to tackle the power crisis.
It will allow for the enforcement of new regulations to battle the flood.
Only last week, Mr. Ramaphosa bowed to pressure and feared a ‘State of Disaster’ over the power crisis in the country.
Damages Caused By The Flood
According to the presidency, the National Disaster Management Centre classified the impact of the rainfall in various parts of the country as above-normal and a national disaster.
The provinces affected are the Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Northern Cape, and the North West.
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The centre says it has received reports ranging from flooded homes to vehicles swept away by floodwaters, and overflowing dams and sewerage facilities.
Limpopo hospital, bridges, roads, and other basic facilities have been damaged by the flooding.
Farmers have also suffered loss from the flooding as their crops and livestock have been destroyed.
The centre noted that the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force may be required to play a role in curbing the effects of the disaster.
