Communities across parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga are facing a deepening crisis as relentless rainfall continues to drive widespread and destructive flooding.
The South African Weather Service has maintained a Red Level 10 warning, underscoring the severe and ongoing threat to lives, infrastructure, and essential services in the worst-affected areas.
The sustained downpours have already caused extensive damage to infrastructure, forced the closure of schools, displaced families, and disrupted essential services.
Floodwaters have rendered roads and bridges impassable, damaged homes and public facilities, and affected parts of the Kruger National Park.
Emergency services have been stretched as multiple rescue operations continue in flood-stricken communities.
SAWS warns that the situation remains critical due to the volume of rainfall already recorded over the past several days, combined with further heavy rain still expected.
It is explained that the risk of widespread flooding, particularly along rivers and low-lying areas, remains extremely high.
“Rainfall accumulation maps for 11 to 12 January 2026 show widespread falls ranging from 10 to 50 mm, with higher accumulations of 50 to 100 mm and isolated areas of 100 to 200 mm over parts of eastern Limpopo and eastern Mpumalanga,” SAWS said.
It is noted that areas such as Maruleng, Ba-Phalaborwa, Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi, and the City of Mbombela have been particularly hard hit.
The weather service further cautioned that repeated rainfall over the same catchment areas has significantly increased runoff and flooding potential.
“These accumulations confirm that persistent and repeated rainfall has occurred over the same areas, significantly increasing runoff and flooding potential,” SAWS said.
Education authorities have made the decision to keep schools closed in several districts, citing safety concerns for learners and educators.
The Limpopo Department of Education warned against reopening schools this week in the most affected areas, as flooding has left many schools inaccessible and disrupted scholar transport.
“Most schools in the four districts under Vhembe and Mopani are inaccessible for both teachers and learners. The severe weather conditions are also a threat to learners, especially children in the early grades,” the department said, adding that food delivery and transport services have also been affected.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts are ongoing as communities remain cut off by floodwaters. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to assist, including an air rescue operation near Giyani where a family was stranded by rising waters.
“Search and rescue team from 19 Squadron responded to a rescue mission… The crew was tasked to rescue a family from Mbaula Village, outside Giyani in Limpopo Province,” SANDF said, confirming that one person was rescued from a tree in a flooded river and transported to the hospital.
Labour union The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) has also expressed deep concern over the impact of the floods, particularly on workers and public servants operating under dangerous conditions. It also voiced solidarity with SANParks employees affected by flooding in conservation areas.
“In particular, NUPSAW stands firmly with our members employed at South AfricanNational Parks (SANParks), many of whom have been directly or indirectly impactedby the floods. We recognise the challenging conditions under which our memberscontinue to work and commend their dedication in safeguarding our natural heritage,even under extreme circumstances.”
SAWS has warned that further rainfall of between 100 and 200 mm is still possible over the next 24 to 48 hours, particularly over already saturated catchments in areas including Greater Giyani, Greater Tzaneen, Maruleng, Ba-Phalaborwa, Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi, and Mbombela. These additional rains are expected to worsen flooding conditions.
Potential impacts include danger to life from fast-flowing rivers, extensive damage to settlements and infrastructure, and prolonged disruption to essential services. Authorities continue to urge residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and heed official warnings.
While weather conditions are expected to gradually improve from around 19 January 2026, with more stable conditions forecast from 20 January onwards, officials caution that river levels and saturated soils will take time to recede.
Until then, the Red Level 10 warning remains in force, underscoring the severe and ongoing risk to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star