South Africa has escalated its response to the extreme weather battering the country, declaring the ongoing severe storms a national disaster. The crisis spans six provinces — the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Free State, and Mpumalanga — where communities are contending with widespread disruption.
The South African Weather Service cautioned that heavy downpours and powerful winds will persist in parts of the Western Cape. In a precautionary move, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that every school in the province will shut on Tuesday, May 12.
Officials have been pressed to roll out a coordinated, multi-sector plan prioritizing prevention, immediate relief, and longer-term rehabilitation. The directive comes as rescue and clean-up teams work across flood-stricken zones grappling with road closures, damaged infrastructure, and power outages.
