Flood Waters Threaten Thousands in South Africa

« Heavy rains have caused serious flooding across southern Africa.
(Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images)

Barely a week after extensive flooding in Australia left parts of Brisbane resembling a war zone in desperate need of reconstruction, floods in South Africa have reportedly killed 123 and displaced 20,000. Last week, 33 municipalities across eight of nine provinces were declared disaster areas.

Heavy rains from late December through most of January have caused serious flooding across southern Africa. According to the South African Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka, the flood damage so far is estimated at $50 million—and some provinces have yet to report their damage. Displaced South African families have fled flooded areas to stay in halls or tents where food packages are available.

Five other countries in the region, including Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, are also on alert for further flooding.

Weather-related disasters across the Americas, Australia, South Africa and the rest of the world are continuously being labeled the worst ever.