Eastern South Africa, particularly the Eastern Cape province, is grappling with the devastating impact of severe winter weather, including heavy rainfall, snow, and cold winds, which have triggered widespread flooding and landslides. The brutal conditions have led to a rising death toll and significant displacement, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to acknowledge that the harsh winter weather remains life-threatening and to assure that emergency services are actively responding to the crises as they unfold.

By Wednesday, the death toll from the flooding had tragically risen to 49, as confirmed by Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane. This grim figure includes victims from a heart-wrenching incident where a school minibus carrying 13 people was swept away by floodwaters near the city of Mthatha. Premier Mabuyane detailed that four children, the driver, and the conductor of the minibus were confirmed deceased. Four other learners were reported missing, while three individuals from the bus had been found alive. Reinforcing the severity, Eastern Cape community safety official Xolile Nqatha stated that the search was ongoing, and President Ramaphosa's office later noted that at least eight bodies had been recovered in connection with the school bus incident, with three children having been rescued from the bus.

The severe weather has forced hundreds of families to evacuate their homes across the Eastern Cape, with significant displacement reported in areas such as the OR Tambo and Amathole districts, as well as in Butterworth. Many of the displaced have been moved to temporary shelters set up in schools and town halls. Beyond the human toll, the floods and associated landslides have caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, disrupting transport and power networks. In one instance amidst the chaos, authorities reported that three children were rescued after spending hours in trees to escape the rising waters.

Officials, including Premier Mabuyane, are on the ground assessing the extensive damage and coordinating relief operations to support affected families. However, the scale of the disaster has highlighted resource challenges, with Mabuyane noting the limited availability of resources such as helicopters, stating, "We need more resources." President Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and called on South Africans to exercise caution, care, and cooperation. Emergency services, with support from the National Disaster Management Centre, are providing assistance, and officials continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and follow guidance from local disaster management teams.

The increasing frequency and severity of such extreme weather events are being linked to broader climatic shifts. Premier Mabuyane commented, "We have never experienced disasters like this but now it's inevitable with climate change and global warming." This sentiment is echoed by observations that flooding has become more common and severe in South Africa. The current disaster brings to mind a devastating storm on the east coast in April 2022, which killed approximately 400 people and left thousands homeless. South Africa's national weather service has warned that the severe and extreme winter conditions are expected to persist until at least the middle of the week, underscoring the ongoing threat. The Green Climate Fund also notes South Africa's high vulnerability to the impacts of climate variability and change, which exacerbates events like droughts, floods, and wildfires.