Heavy Rains Cause Flooding in Northern Cape, Free State and North West, Killing Three and Displacing Thousands

Heavy rains have flooded low-lying areas, cutting off access to nearly 2,000 families in the Northern Cape, inundating over 3,400 homes in the Free State and prompting widespread school closures in the Western Cape.

In the Free State, flash floods hit Thabong in Welkom. The water flooded more than 3,400 homes and affected 12,000 people. The death toll from flooding stands at three. A young girl drowned in the North West on Sunday.

Police pulled two more bodies from the water in the Northern Cape. The Western Cape education department shut down 120 schools in the Eden and Central Karoo districts. Schools in George, Knysna and Oudtshoorn will stay shut until Thursday.

Western Cape education MEC David Maynier said the closures will protect children from flooded roads. The Eastern Cape is facing a massive storm. The education department told schools they can close if the weather gets too dangerous.

Nelson Mandela Bay disaster teams are on high alert to respond to heavy rain and strong winds. Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa warned people to stay away from full rivers. He said some areas will take a beating with up to 200 millimetres of rain.

Gift of the Givers teams have rushed to the worst hit areas. Founder Imtiaz Sooliman said they are working with the police and the army to move families to safe community halls. Trucks are rushing food and supplies from Johannesburg and Cape Town.

If things get worse, malls in Durban, East London and Gqeberha will open as collection points to help the victims.