NewsSouth Africa declares national disaster after deadly floods and stormsSevere weather kills dozens, damages homes, infrastructure across provincesRegional floods highlight southern Africa’s climate vulnerabilitySouth Africa declared a national state of disaster on Sunday, Jan. 18, after authorities assessed the impact of severe weather that has hit the country since late November 2025. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) said the classification was issued by Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). “Following the classification, according to Section 26, in conjunction with Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, the National Executive takes on the primary responsibility for coordinating and managing the National Disaster,” the statement said. In Mozambique, the Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction said 103 people have died since the end of last year during an exceptionally intense rainy season. In Zimbabwe, the National Disaster Management Agency said storms and flooding have killed 70 people since the beginning of the year and destroyed more than 1,000 homes.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 19, 2026 14:45 UTC