More than 100 dead as torrential rains and floods batter southern Africa

Heavy rains and widespread flooding across southern Africa have killed more than 100 people and displaced thousands, with Mozambique , South Africa and Zimbabwe bearing the brunt of the disaster. The floods, triggered by weeks of relentless rainfall, have destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure and damaged crops, raising fears of further loss as weather services warn of more rain.

Mozambique has been hit hardest, with its Institute for Disaster Management reporting 103 deaths since late last year. The toll includes people killed by lightning strikes, drowning, collapsed buildings and outbreaks of cholera . More than 200,000 people have been affected, according to the World Food Programme, and thousands of homes have been damaged or flooded.

In South Africa , the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga have been severely affected. At least 30 people have died as rivers burst their banks, washing away homes, roads and bridges. The South African army has used helicopters to rescue stranded residents. Limpopo received about 400 millimetres of rain in less than a week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, and the province reported more than 1,000 homes damaged. The South African Weather Service issued a red-level 10 alert for further heavy rain.

Zimbabwe has reported 70 deaths since the start of the year, with more than 1,000 homes destroyed and roads and schools damaged. Flooding has also affected Madagascar, Malawi and Zambia.

The floods are linked to weeks of heavy rain worsened by the La Nina weather phenomenon. The persistent rainfall has overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems, causing widespread flooding. Mozambique alone has seen more than 70,000 hectares of crops waterlogged, worsening food insecurity.

Tourism has also been hit, with Kruger National Park in South Africa severely flooded. Around 600 tourists and staff were evacuated, and the park has been closed to new visitors.

As rescue efforts continue, authorities have urged residents to stay vigilant, avoid flooded areas and follow evacuation orders. The disaster highlights the growing threat of extreme weather events in the region, driven by climate change and recurring natural disasters.