On June 10, severe flooding struck South Africa’s Eastern Cape after heavy rain and snow from a cold front, killing at least 49 people. Among the dead are six high-school students whose bus, carrying 13 children and two adults, was swept away by floodwaters. The bodies of the driver and bus conductor were also recovered. Four students remain missing as rescue teams continue their search in dangerous conditions.
Thousands of homes are submerged, and widespread power outages have affected hundreds of thousands. Disaster teams are working alongside authorities in neighboring KwaZulu-Natal to manage ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
Heavy rainfall in recent years has left hundreds dead or unaccounted for in some of the worst flooding in decades. These extreme weather events are becoming more frequent with climate change, though the phenomenon itself is nothing new. History has recorded some truly terrifying floods—natural disasters that have killed thousands and destroyed homes and livelihoods.
Click through and be reminded of some of the worst floods on record.