Eastern Cape flood death toll climbs to 9
The death toll following severe flooding in the Eastern Cape has climbed to nine.
Torrential downpours pummelled the OR Tambo District Municipality for two days, triggering landslides and causing significant damage to property and infrastructure.
Authorities say hundreds of people were left homeless when their properties were submerged in villages in and around Mthatha.
The provincial government's Yonela Dekeda says a multi-disciplinary emergency response team is searching for a bus that was swept away with school children near Lusikisiki on Tuesday.
She says the search, which was suspended in the evening, is scheduled to resume on Wednesday morning.
" Divers and the entire rescue team will go back to search and comb the area for those missing children and any other person that may not be accounted for as yet. There are hundreds of people that have been displaced in both OR Tambo area as well as in Butterworth."
READ: South coast community clean up after storms
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness over the loss of lives.
He says there's a need for caution, care and cooperation during the worst winter weather conditions.
Meanwhile, KZN Cooperative Governance MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has appealed to communities for patience while waiting for power to be restored.
He says technicians are working to restore services after the powerful storm left many in KZN's northern and southern areas in the dark.
Kokstad, Umzimkhulu, Harding, and Ixopo are among the worst affected parts.
Buthelezi gave an update on the extent of the damage in KZN on Tuesday afternoon.
"We urge those who are travelling to chase snowfall to exercise extreme caution. Driving in strong winds and snowy conditions is dangerous.
"Residents should only drive if absolutely necessary. Our teams are currently on the ground, providing the necessary support to all affected individuals."
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