Flooded roads and bridges isolate communities after continuous heavy rainfall. Picture Credit: Facebook
By Aisha Zardad
Limpopo – A Red Level 10 weather warning remains in force over parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga as the flood crisis intensifies following days of unrelenting rain, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed.
The elevated alert — the highest in SAWS’s system — signals extreme rainfall and disruptive conditions that threaten lives, infrastructure and communities already hardened by saturated ground and swollen rivers. Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said the combination of heavy falls to date and an expected additional 100–200 mm of rain in the next 24–48 hours means the risk of widespread flooding remains “critically high.”
Authorities identified key areas at risk, including Maruleng, Ba-Phalaborwa, Greater Giyani, Greater Tzaneen, Greater Letaba, Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge and the City of Mbombela. Potential impacts include fast-flowing rivers, inundated roads and bridges, property damage, displacement and disruption to essential services.
Amid the worsening conditions, President Cyril Ramaphosa travelled to affected communities in Limpopo to assess the damage and government response, according to an official statement from the Presidency. Access to some locations remains difficult due to flooded roads and ongoing rescue efforts.
Local officials have acknowledged that current provincial resources are stretched, with the scale of the crisis outpacing capacities for rescue and relief. Schools in several districts have been closed, and infrastructure such as bridges and utility services have been severely impacted by the storm.
SAWS expects conditions to slowly improve from around 19–20 January, but warns communities in high-risk zones to remain vigilant and follow official instructions as the situation evolves.
