Key Takeaways:
- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed two helicopters to evacuate people stranded in Limpopo due to severe flooding.
- A four-year-old child has died in the floods, and the provincial government has expressed deep sadness over the loss of life.
- The South African Weather Service has issued a red Level 10 warning for Limpopo, predicting continued heavy downpours and widespread flooding.
- The provincial government is considering applying for a Provincial State of Disaster declaration to allocate financial resources to mitigate the impact of the heavy rains.
- Residents are urged to avoid crossing flooded rivers, bridges, and streams, and to refrain from unnecessary travel, especially when it rains.
Introduction to the Crisis
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed two helicopters to evacuate people stranded in Limpopo following severe flooding and rising water levels. The flooding has claimed the life of a four-year-old child, and the provincial government has expressed deep sadness over the loss of life. Heavy rains have devastated the province over the past two weeks, and search and rescue teams from the South African Air Force’s 17 and 19 squadrons have responded to an emergency activation from the Air Force Command Post.
Rescue Operations
The operation began on January 14, 2026, at 11pm and continued until January 15, 2026, at 2am, with crews risking severe weather to save people whose lives were in danger of drowning. The teams were tasked with rescuing a family from Mbaula Village, outside Giyani, where residents reported that other people had already been rescued from rooftops and high-lying areas. One family member was rescued from a tree along the Olifants River, which was flooded and threatening nearby residents. The SANDF said a local chief had also been rescued from the roof of his home, and crews were continuing to assist others trapped in trees, and those needing medical attention were being taken to Maphutha Hospital, near Phalaborwa.
Evacuation Efforts
An ORYX helicopter was dispatched to rescue Border Management Authority and South African Police Service members surrounded by water at the Phafuri Port of Entry. Meanwhile, an Agusta A109 helicopter hoisted 18 people from the flooded Khambaku Lodge outside Phalaborwa to safety. The evacuation efforts are ongoing, with the SANDF working to rescue those stranded in flood-affected areas. The provincial government has warned that the risk of widespread flooding remains critically high, and residents are urged to be extra vigilant as heavy rains continue to affect the province.
Government Response
Limpopo MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Basikopo Makamu, expressed deep sadness following the province’s first weather-related death. He confirmed that a four-year-old child, trapped with his mother on a tree, was swept away before help could arrive. Makamu urged communities to be extra vigilant as heavy rains continue to affect the province and warned that the provincial government is considering applying for a Provincial State of Disaster declaration to allocate financial resources to mitigate the impact of the heavy rains. President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, headed to Mbaula village on Thursday afternoon to assess the damage caused by the severe weather.
Weather Warning
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a red Level 10 warning for Limpopo for January 15 and 16, 2026. The warning predicts continued heavy downpours over parts of Limpopo, which could lead to widespread flooding of roads and settlements, displacement of communities, damage to property, loss of livelihoods and livestock, and severe disruption to transport and essential services such as water, electricity, and schools. The warning highlights the potential for severe weather conditions, and residents are urged to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The severe flooding in Limpopo has resulted in the loss of life and widespread destruction, and the provincial government is working to mitigate the impact of the heavy rains. Residents are urged to avoid crossing flooded rivers, bridges, and streams, and to refrain from unnecessary travel, especially when it rains. The SANDF and other emergency services are working to rescue those stranded, and the provincial government is considering applying for a Provincial State of Disaster declaration to allocate financial resources to support affected communities. It is essential for residents to be extra vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this critical period.
