100 Dead Amid Floods Across Southern Africa

Severe rainfall and widespread flooding have killed more than 100 people across southern Africa, authorities said on Friday, as emergency crews race to rescue stranded residents and evacuate vulnerable areas.

Military helicopters have been deployed to save people trapped on rooftops, while hundreds of tourists and workers were evacuated from one of the world’s largest wildlife reserves after torrential rains triggered flash floods in several countries, according to the Associated Press.

Fatalities have been reported across South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe following weeks of unusually heavy rainfall. Meteorological services have warned that more rain is forecast, raising fears of further destructive flooding in the coming days.

Mozambique has been the hardest hit. The country’s disaster management agency said floods swept through large parts of central and southern regions, leaving at least 103 people dead since late last year during an exceptionally intense rainy season.

In neighbouring South Africa, officials said the death toll from flooding in two northern provinces has risen to at least 30, as rescue operations continue and emergency services assess the damage.

Zimbabwe has also suffered significant losses. The national disaster management agency reported that at least 70 people have been killed since the start of the year, with more than 1,000 homes destroyed. Critical infrastructure, including schools, roads and bridges, has collapsed in several areas.

Authorities across the region have urged residents in flood-prone zones to remain alert, as continued rainfall threatens to worsen an already devastating humanitarian situation.