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- SA Weather Service issues another level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
- One person is dead and two are missing after being swept away by floods in uMshwathi near Pietermaritzburg on Monday.
Less than a day after the G20 countries promised to invest more in fighting climate change, deadly floods hit KwaZulu-Natal and a severe thunderstorm is approaching Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng.
On Monday morning, floods swept through parts of the province. One body was found in uMshwathi, near Pietermaritzburg. Two other people were washed away and have not been found.
Townships like KwaMashu outside Durban were among the worst hit. Homes were flooded or destroyed, leaving thousands with nowhere to go.
The South African Weather Service issued a level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms across the province.
Another warning of an approaching severe thunderstorm has been issued for Monday evening and expected to affect Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
The devastation came just after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the G20’s latest climate commitments are crucial for South Africa, especially for areas that face regular extreme weather like KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
“As the G20, we have agreed on the need for scaled up disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction,” he said.
He warned that South Africa is dealing with the rising dangers of heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires — and needs help to cope.
Ramaphosa said South Africa’s push to switch to cleaner energy must also protect workers, businesses and communities.
The G20 also agreed to a new international deal on critical minerals. Ramaphosa said it would help South Africa benefit from its rich supply of natural resources.
“It supports our ambition to become a leading global player, while making sure we create jobs through local processing,” he said.]
Ramaphosa called the summit a success and said it showed the world is starting to take South Africa seriously again.
Pictured above: Flood damage in KwaZulu-Natal.
Image source: File
