Southern Africa floods leave more than 100 people dead

Weeks of heavy rain have caused flooding across Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with more than 100 people reported dead and further heavy rain expected through the weekend.

Flooding across southern Africa has killed more than 100 people and damaged homes and infrastructure. The rains followed weeks of persistent downpours that officials say were driven by a slow-moving low-pressure system. Mozambique has reported the largest impact, with hundreds of thousands affected and large-scale evacuations. Authorities in South Africa and Zimbabwe report additional deaths and widespread damage. Key facts: - Mozambique’s disaster agency says over 200,000 people have been affected and tens of thousands have faced evacuations, and the country reported more than 100 deaths since late 2025. - South Africa has reported at least 30 deaths and deployed the army for helicopter rescue operations; President Cyril Ramaphosa said parts of the region received more than 15 inches of rain in one week and that 36 houses were completely destroyed. - Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit reports about 70 fatalities since the start of the year and more than 1,000 homes destroyed, with key roads and schools damaged. - Meteorologists and news reports attribute the heavy rain to a slow-moving low-pressure system that repeatedly draws moisture over the region, and more heavy rain is expected through the weekend. Summary: The floods have produced significant loss of life, large-scale evacuations and damage to homes and infrastructure across Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Rescue and response efforts, including military-assisted rescues in South Africa, are underway and many people remain displaced. Forecasts of continued heavy rain through the weekend mean conditions are likely to persist in the near term.