South Africa declares national disaster as floods devastate region

South Africa on Sunday declared a national disaster after widespread flooding destroyed homes and killed dozens, while thousands sought shelter in neighboring Mozambique.

Heavy rains and storms have battered Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces for weeks, claiming more than 30 lives. Rivers burst their banks in Mozambique, displacing thousands, including a woman who gave birth on a roof while sheltering from floodwaters.

"I classify the disaster as a national disaster," the head of South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre Elias Sithole said in a statement Sunday.

Authorities continued to search for survivors, and flooding has begun receding in some areas, including Kruger National Park. "Day visitation to the park will resume as of tomorrow," South African National Parks announced, still urging visitors to "exercise caution."

At least eight deaths were reported in Mozambique since December 21, but numbers are expected to rise. Chauna Macuacua told AFP her sister-in-law gave birth on a roof while awaiting rescue.

"We've been here for 4 days. My nephew was born yesterday around 11 PM (2100 GMT), and we still haven't had any rescue or assistance for the baby and mother," she said.

Wilker Dias of Plataforma Decide said, "I think the numbers of dead will increase in the next hours."

South African teams were also dispatched to southern Mozambique after a car carrying five members of a mayoral delegation was swept away. More than 173,000 people have been affected by the floods, according to Mozambican authorities.