70 dead in South Africa floods

70 dead in South Africa floods

January 23, 2011

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – The death toll from torrential rain in South Africa has reached 70, with another 8,000 people displaced, an official said Saturday, as the government stepped up its emergency efforts.
"The number 0f fatalities currently recorded nationally have sadly increased to 70... The number 0f displaced , affected households reported at 8400," cooperative governance spokesman Vuyelwa Qinga said in a statement.
She added that, after consultations with various experts, the government had decided to establish national disaster joint operations to "improve coordination 0f government interventions , streamline communication in relation to the disasters."
Displaced families are currently living in community halls 0rtents , are receiving food parcels.
Co-operative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka said the flood damage was estimated at 356 million rands (51 million dollars, 32 million euros) so far with reports from some provinces yet to come in.
In Mozambique 10 people have died as a result 0f floods, with more than 10,000 others evacuated from their homes.
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia , Zimbabwe have also been affected by the heavy rains. Though there have been notreports yet 0f maj0rincidents in those countries, people in low-lying areas have been warned to leave their homes.

BY:  EFG-BN

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