CAPE TOWN, May 17 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has confirmed that 18 people died in extreme weather battering multiple provinces across the country since early May.
The deaths were confirmed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), with most fatalities reported in Western Cape province.
"A total of 11 weather-related deaths have been confirmed in the Western Cape, three in the Northern Cape, two in the Free State province, one in North West, and one in Mpumalanga," COGTA spokesperson Pearl Maseko-Binqose was quoted by local media as saying on Saturday.
"Disaster management teams and relief organizations remain on the ground, assisting affected communities and coordinating emergency response efforts," she said.
The government has declared the severe weather affecting six provinces a national disaster after heavy rain, flooding, strong winds and snowfall caused widespread damage and disruptions to essential services since May 4.
Western Cape, the hardest-hit province, experienced widespread flooding and damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, with some communities cut off after roads were damaged.
On Friday, Cape Town, the provincial capital of the Western Cape, said 31,709 dwellings and about 103,350 people across 67 informal settlements had been affected by the severe weather.
Western Cape authorities said some communities continued to face challenges related to access to drinking water, electricity and shelter. ■
