Government officials and aid agencies in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have reported more than 100 deaths following weeks of heavy rainfall that has caused extensive flooding across the region. The severe weather, which intensified in January 2026, has led to mass evacuations, damaged critical infrastructure, and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.
In South Africa, officials confirmed on Friday that flooding in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga resulted in at least 30 deaths. The South African military has deployed helicopters to conduct rescue operations for residents trapped by rising waters. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited affected areas of Limpopo on Thursday, stating the province received about 400 millimeters (16 inches) of rain in less than a week. In one district, Ramaphosa said, “there are 36 houses that have just been wiped away.”
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba reported that more than 1,000 homes have been damaged throughout the province. The floods also impacted Kruger National Park, where officials evacuated approximately 600 tourists and staff from camps affected by overflowing rivers.
In neighboring Zimbabwe, the government’s disaster management agency reported at least 70 deaths since the start of the year. The agency also stated that more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed, and that roads, bridges, and schools have sustained damage from the floodwaters.
Mozambique’s national disaster management authorities have reported 103 deaths since the rainy season began in late 2025. The agency attributed the fatalities to multiple causes, including flooding, lightning strikes, infrastructure collapses, and a cholera outbreak linked to contaminated water supplies.
According to the World Food Programme, more than 200,000 people in Mozambique have been affected by the flooding, which submerged over 70,000 hectares (173,000 acres) of crops. The agency noted the damage to agricultural land has impacted food supplies for local farmers.
Weather services across Southern Africa have issued alerts for additional rainfall. A report from the United States Famine Early Warning System stated that flooding was either reported or expected in at least seven countries in the region. The system noted the heavy rains could be linked to the La Niña weather phenomenon.
