Supplied (Nikki Bolton)
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) says 82 people have died since the current summer season lashed communities with heavy torrential rain across the country.
National Spokesperson, Lungi Mtshali, says the fatalities were driven by drownings and lighting strikes.
The Department says the rain is most welcome as most parts of the country, especially the Eastern Cape, is still in a drought, however, the rains have brought about dangerous conditions and the public is urged to be cautious whilst walking or driving on the roads as some bridges have been eroded by heavy water and devastating floods.
Mtshali says this led to the activation of relevant structures in all affected provinces through the coordination of National, Provincial and Municipal Disaster Management Centres for the activation of provincial response plans as well as coordination of reports by organs of state and relevant stakeholders.
Disaster teams across the country have been dispatched to various parts of the country and are working around the clock to assist communities.
Eight people drowned in recent floods in the Eastern Cape, including a K9 rescue officer who died in the line of duty.
Three of the drownings were in the Amathole Districts Municipality.
Meanwhile, the Chris Hani District Municipality has been declared a disaster area following heavy rains that damaged 134 properties and left 50 families homeless.
Strong winds, heavy rains and severe thunderstorms hit the District Municipality between 13 December 2021- 8 January 2022.
Thousands of learners might not be able to attend a school tomorrow when the 2022 academic year starts, as dozens of schools have been damaged.
The spokesperson for the Provincial Department of Education Malibongwe Mtima says the damage at 57 schools has already been assessed, with the cost estimated to be R900 million.
He says more schools need to be assessed on the list that is still growing as reports come in.
The National Emergency Call Centre number is 112 to request emergency assistance and report emergencies.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) continuously issue updated early warning alerts to the public through all platforms and channels.
