The death toll from floods in South Africa this month rose to more than 100

Johannesburg (AP) – The death toll from severe flooding that flooded parts of rural Eastern Cape in South Africa has risen to 101, with a 12-month-old baby being the smallest death, authorities said Thursday.

The two children are still missing.

On June 9 and 10, heavy rains caused by the cold front caused floods to sweep the victims and their homes, trapping others in their homes, damaged roads and other infrastructure and cutting power supplies.

Eastern Cape government official Zolile Williams caused damage to the latest deaths in a press conference Thursday and said the two missing children continued their search operations.

Williams said 94 of the 101 victims have been identified and their bodies have been handed over to their families. The victims included 38 children. In the Eastern Cape, more than 4,000 people have been homeless.

South Africa announced a national disaster last week, allowing the government to release funds for relief services.

Williams said an estimated $288 million is needed to replace damaged infrastructure, while one of South Africa’s poorest infrastructure needs the help of the national government.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the worst-affected location two weeks ago and blamed heavy rains and catastrophic floods on climate change.

Another cold front hit South Africa’s Western Cape this week, bringing days of rain and causing flooding in and around Cape Town.

South Africa is vulnerable to strong weather fronts from India and the southern oceans. In 2022, floods caused by heavy rains in the East Coast city of Durban and surrounding areas killed more than 400 people.

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