Heavy overnight rains have caused severe flooding in the Mthatha area, submerging homes and leaving residents in desperate need of rescue. Among the most harrowing scenes are two children trapped in a tree above a raging river, clinging for survival since early this morning.
Homes Submerged, Lives at Risk
The flooding, which began in the early hours of the morning, has devastated the community of Jolini, just outside Mthatha along the R61 road. Numerous houses have been completely engulfed by rising waters, forcing residents to flee to higher ground.
A reporter who is on the scene, described the dire situation: “Many houses are submerged in water, and there are two children trapped inside the river. Two of them are up a tree, calling for help. Emergency teams are urgently needed.”
Desperate Calls for Help Ignored
Residents say they alerted disaster management teams as early as 4 a.m. after receiving distress messages in a community WhatsApp group. However, no assistance arrived for hours, leaving families to fend for themselves.
One distressed resident recounted: “We tried calling disaster teams from the OR Tambo District Municipality, but up to now, nothing has happened.”
Emergency Services Finally Arrive
As the situation grew increasingly desperate, emergency officials eventually reached the scene. Authorities are now working to rescue the two children still stranded in the tree, as floodwaters continue to surge beneath them.
Ongoing Crisis
With more rain forecasted, fears of further flooding persist. Many displaced residents are now seeking shelter along the R61 road, unsure of when—or if—they will be able to return home.
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