President Cyril Ramaphosa is visiting flood-stricken areas in the Eastern Cape today, as the province reels from the impact of severe storms that have claimed 78 lives and displaced over 1,000 people.

The OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities have suffered extensive damage due to the relentless heavy rains and cold front that swept through coastal regions of South Africa this week. The Eastern Cape remains the hardest-hit province.

Also read: Netflix Just Got More Expensive in South Africa

According to the Presidency, President Ramaphosa will receive a comprehensive update from Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, and Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane. The briefing will focus on ongoing search and rescue operations, the humanitarian response, and the support required to manage the widespread destruction.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sorrow at the tragic loss of life and extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, affected communities, and all residents of the Eastern Cape,” the Presidency said in a statement on Friday.

Accompanied by Minister Hlabisa, Premier Mabuyane, and senior disaster response officials, the President’s visit aims to assess the scale of the crisis and engage directly with residents impacted by the floods.

The visit will begin with a closed-door briefing by the National Disaster Management Centre, followed by on-the-ground inspections of the hardest-hit areas and a concluding debrief with key stakeholders.

The South African Weather Service has issued ongoing warnings about extreme cold, rough seas, and torrential rainfall, urging communities in coastal provinces to remain vigilant.