Ramaphosa Attributes Deadly South Africa Floods to Climate Change as Toll Hits 78

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday visited the devastated Eastern Cape province, where catastrophic floods have claimed at least 78 lives and left thousands homeless.

Describing the disaster as a direct consequence of climate change, Ramaphosa met with survivors amid widespread destruction in one of the country’s poorest regions.

The floods submerged entire communities, burying houses, roads, schools, and health facilities under thick mud. Rescue teams conducted door-to-door searches for victims and trapped residents, many of whom were forced to seek refuge on rooftops as floodwaters surged overnight.

During his visit, Ramaphosa stood at the site where a school bus was swept away by raging waters, resulting in the deaths of six children and three adults, with four children still unaccounted for. He also consoled a grieving woman who had lost her mother and two young nephews, listening as she tearfully recounted her losses.

“This is a catastrophic disaster caused by climate change,” Ramaphosa said, noting that floodwaters in some areas had risen over four meters (13 feet). “While we expect cold and snow during winter in the Eastern Cape, these unprecedented floods highlight the escalating severity of climate change impacts.”

The president emphasized that South Africa’s coastal regions are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events.

According to the Green Climate Fund, climate variability is driving more frequent and intense storms, threatening the livelihoods and safety of millions across the country.