Deadly Eastern Cape weather: Rescue teams racing to find missing schoolchildren
Severe weather and flooding are leaving the Eastern Cape reeling.
FILE: Snow falls in the Eastern Cape. Picture: Supplied/Eastern Cape Department of Transport
CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit is joined by Eastern Cape government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie.
Listen below:
The death toll could rise in the Eastern Cape after inclement weather so far claimed seven lives in the province.
Six of the bodies were found along Decoligny village in Mthatha, while the seventh body was recovered at Tsolo near the Bedlana River.
Snowfall and heavy rains have battered the province since last week, causing widespread damage to homes and other infrastructure.
A group of pupils are still missing after their school transport was swept away almost 24 hours ago.
Rantjie says a search was abandoned last night but resumed this morning.
"They are back on site to continue with the operation."
- Khuselwa Rantjie, spokesperson - Eastern Cape government
Rantjie says local government cannot, at this stage, confirm the number of people they are searching for.
"We're estimating that over 10 learners would have been on that bus..."
- Khuselwa Rantjie, spokesperson - Eastern Cape government
She adds that they may find other people.
"Most houses in that area were submerged in water... There are families without a place to stay."
- Khuselwa Rantjie, spokesperson - Eastern Cape government
"At least this morning the weather is a bit better."
- Khuselwa Rantjie, spokesperson - Eastern Cape government
Rantjie says efforts are underway to ensure that members of the communities affected by the storm are given shelter.
She says disaster management teams and emergency services are collaborating to stabilise affected areas and restore essential services.
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation from Good Morning Cape Town.