Limpopo floods: 31 Schools damaged as Level 10 weather warning persists

The Limpopo Provincial Government has expressed deep concern over extensive flood damage to education infrastructure, with at least 31 school buildings confirmed to be affected so far.

Thousands of learners remain at home as schools stay closed across large parts of the province. The closures follow days of relentless heavy rain and widespread flooding that have paralysed local communities.

Authorities have warned that the situation remains fluid. Continued rainfall and flooded access routes are currently making it difficult for teams to fully assess the total extent of the devastation.

Briefing the media on Friday afternoon, Premier Phophi Ramathuba confirmed the current toll on the education sector. The damage ranges from classrooms being completely submerged to the destruction of critical infrastructure and essential learning materials.

“We have managed to document the damaged schools to about 31. With this figure likely to rise, we have had to hold the reopening of 1,400 schools in affected communities,” stated Premier Ramathuba.

The Premier warned that the number of damaged facilities is expected to increase as the province remains under a Red Level 10 weather warning. This represents the highest alert level ever issued, signalling the severity of the ongoing weather system.

For communities already grappling with flooded homes, prolonged power outages, and disrupted municipal services, the extended school closures have deepened the sense of uncertainty for both parents and learners.