Floods Kill At Least 39 In South Africa

Floods Kill At Least 39 In South Africa

Floods have killed or left missing at least 39 people in South Africa and destroyed thousands of homes in neighbouring Mozambique .

Heavy rains from late December and through most of January have led to floods in the two countries, with torrential downpours at the weekend again swelling rivers.

South Africa 's Cooperative Governance Ministry estimates that at least 32 people have been killed. The police said on Monday that another seven people went missing in Centurion, near Pretoria , after they were swept away by high waters.

The army has been placed on stand-by to evacuate people from areas near major dams.

''All disaster management structures in the country have been put on high alert , '' the cooperative governance ministry said.

South African logistics group, Transnet, said last week heavy rains had disrupted its freight rail operations, affecting coal and maize exports.

In Mozambique , about 13,000 people have seen damage done to their homes or been evacuated due to floods and heavy winds.

At least 10 persons have been killed in the country.

Reuters/NAN/Margaret/Yinka