 Rainfall estimates across Southern Africa between 7 – 13 April 2022 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 April 2022 – 21 April 2022 |
| Flood | |
| Maximum rainfall | 45 cm (17.72 in) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 436 |
| Damage | R 17 billion |
| Areas affected | South Africa (especially KwaZulu-Natal) |
| Houses destroyed | 3,937 |
| [1][2] | |
In April 2022, days of heavy rain across KwaZulu-Natal in southeastern South Africa led to deadly floods. Particularly hard-hit were areas in and around Durban. At least 436 people died across the province, with an unknown number of people missing as of April 22.[2] Several thousand homes were damaged or destroyed. Critical infrastructure, including major roads, transportation, communication, and electrical systems, were also impacted by the flooding, and this damage greatly hampered recovery and relief efforts. It is one of the deadliest disasters in the country in the 21st century, and the deadliest storm since the 1987 floods.[3][4] The floods have caused more than R17 billion (US$1.57 billion) in infrastructure damage.[2] A national state of disaster was declared.[5]
- ^ Mboto, Sibusiso. "Costs related to KZN floods stands at R17 billion". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- ^ a b c "Death toll from South African floods revised down to 435". Reuters. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ "South Africa floods: deadliest storm on record kills over 300 people". the Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 13 April 2022. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ Burke, Jason (14 April 2022). "South Africa braces for more heavy rain after floods kill hundreds". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ "President Cyril Ramaphosa: Declaration of a national state of disaster to respond to widespread flooding | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 20 April 2022.