South Africa president heads to floods hotspot as 51 die

Heavy rains have lashed with the southern, eastern parts of the country hit since last weekend

At least 51 people have been killed in flooding in South Africa, a local official said Wednesday, as President Cyril Ramaphosa flew into the deluged eastern region of the country.

Heavy rains have lashed South Africa in recent days, with the southern and eastern parts of the country badly hit since last weekend.

"Our hearts go out particularly to families and communities who have been directly affected by death, injury and the loss of property," Ramaphosa said in a statement after returning from crisis talks in Egypt on the situations in Libya and Sudan. "This situation calls on all of us to pull together as a country to reach out to affected communities."

The death toll jumped from 33 on Tuesday, as rescuers continued to comb debris for those who might be trapped underneath landslides. In addition to collapsed buildings and flooded roads, sewer lines were blocked and electricity pylons had toppled over.

South African military personnel have been dispatched to help rescue and evacuation efforts. The South African Weather Services warned that more heavy rain and gale force winds were expected, which could threaten low-lying bridges and roads.

"Unfortunately the numbers have risen to 51. In previous years we have tried to remove people from low-lying areas," a regional minister, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, told SA FM radio.

"We will continue with negotiations in some of the areas where we believe the long-term solution is people moving out."