Limpopo floods claim 25 lives as rescuers race against time to find the missing

Limpopo floods claim 25 lives as rescuers race against time to find the missing

The human cost of the recent floods in Limpopo continues to mount, with 25 people now confirmed dead as rescue teams push on through damaged terrain in search of those still missing.

The updated death toll was confirmed on Monday by the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), as communities across the province grapple with loss, destruction and uncertainty following weeks of relentless severe weather.

Search efforts continue in hardest-hit areas

CoGHSTA spokesperson Tsakani Baloyi said authorities are deeply saddened by the growing number of fatalities linked to the extreme weather that began in December 2025.

Despite difficult conditions, search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, particularly in areas that were hit hardest by flooding.

“The number of missing persons remains at three,” Baloyi said. “One person is missing from Mbaula, while two are from Thulamela.”

Rescue teams continue to comb riverbanks, submerged areas and damaged settlements, often relying on local knowledge from residents who know the terrain intimately.

A province battered by extreme weather

Limpopo has endured a punishing mix of heavy rainfall, flooding, thunderstorms, hail and strong winds, with the worst damage recorded in Mopani, Vhembe, Waterberg, and parts of Sekhukhune.

Beyond the tragic loss of life, the floods have left a trail of destruction, homes washed away, roads damaged, schools and health facilities affected, and agricultural land severely impacted.

For many rural communities, the damage has cut off access to essential services, with flooded roads making it difficult for emergency vehicles and aid to reach those in need.

National disaster declared

The scale of the devastation has prompted national intervention. On Saturday, Ellas Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), officially classified the floods in Limpopo and Mpumalanga as a national disaster.

The declaration also covers parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the North West, where similar severe weather caused loss of life, infrastructure damage and disruption to basic services.

The classification allows national government to fast-track resources and coordinate relief efforts across multiple departments.

Billions needed as communities pick up the pieces

According to disaster officials, the cost of repairs is expected to run into billions of rand, as municipalities assess damage to roads, bridges, public buildings and water systems.

In many affected villages, residents are still navigating flooded roads and attempting to salvage belongings from damaged homes often sharing images and pleas for help on social media as the scale of the disaster becomes clear.

The NDMC is now leading relief efforts, with government departments mobilised to support displaced families and restore basic services.

A warning sign for the future

While Limpopo is no stranger to summer rainfall, the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events have reignited conversations around climate resilience, disaster preparedness and infrastructure planning particularly in rural provinces.

For now, the focus remains on finding the missing, supporting grieving families and helping communities rebuild even as the province braces for more unpredictable weather in the months ahead.

{Source: The Citizen}

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