South Africa: Flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape 2022

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Flooded street and house in Eastern South Africa
David Steele/Shutterstock

Introduction

This collection assembles information about the meteorological and social causes of the 2022 floods, as well as strategies for recovery. South Africa experienced catastrophic floods and landslides in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape after exceptionally heavy rainfall. With more than 440 lives lost, an estimated 4,000 homes having been destroyed and road damage of at least R5.6-billion, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national state of disaster.

The disaster underlines once again the increasing hazards posed by intense rainfall in a changing climate and the need for impact-based early warnings which reach everyone.

Hazards
Flood
Country and region
South Africa

Knowledge base

Update

Early warning systems on floods are not enough; climate crisis literacy saves lives – experts

The extreme rainfall and floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal in April highlight the importance of the relationship between the government and residents. "If we had told you there was this major flood coming, what would you have done differently?”
Our burning planet - Daily Maverick
Flooded street and house in Eastern South Africa
Research briefs

Climate change - exacerbated rainfall causing devastating flooding in Eastern South Africa

South Africa experienced catastrophic floods and landslides in the eastern coast of the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Eastern Cape (EC) following exceptionally heavy rainfall.
World Weather Attribution
Update

South Africa's floods a 'teachable moment' for climate adaptation

A deluge of rain that has claimed hundreds of lives in South Africa shows why more preparedness for climate extremes is necessary, experts say
Thomson Reuters Foundation, trust.org
Update

After the relentless rain, South Africa sounds the alarm on the climate crisis

Many are still missing after this month’s floods. Extreme weather is becoming more frequent, and it can be devastating
Guardian, the (UK)
Update

South Africa declares state of emergency after deadly rains

The South African government has declared a national state of emergency to deal with the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding in the province of KwaZulu-Natal last week. On 11 and 12 April, between 200 and 400 mm of rain fell in a 24 hour period.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Update

How geology put a South African city at risk of landslides

Some articles have suggested the catastrophes in Durban and the greater eThekwini region of South Africa following recent floods are due to climate change and maladministration. That comes as no surprise, considering the geology of the area.
Conversation Media Group, the
Kwazulu Natal floods, 2022
Update

Early warnings for floods in South Africa: engineering for future climate change

Could South Africa’s recent flooding have been foreseen? Forecasting extreme weather events has long been a challenge for scientists and engineers around the world.
Conversation Media Group, the
Update

KZN floods — three practical steps to make South African cities more flood resilient

Massive destruction from the devastating flooding events that took place in KwaZulu-Natal last week is another reminder about the urgency to bolster flood resilience in South Africa.
Our burning planet - Daily Maverick
Cars are lying in mud beneath a bridge in Durban, South Africa, after the floods in April 2022.
Update

What's behind South Africa's flood disaster

South Africa has largely escaped the tropical cyclones that regularly hit its neighbours. But last week, storms pummelled the east coast city of Durban, triggering heavy floods and landslides that killed more than 440.
PhysOrg, Omicron Technology Ltd
Update

Floods in South Africa: protecting people must include a focus on women and girls

When disastrous events like floods are combined with social inequities, their effects are much greater.
Conversation Media Group, the

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