Cape Town – Heavy rainfall and widespread flooding in Limpopo have damaged critical infrastructure and washed out bridges, effectively trapping communities and exposing residents to further hardship as emergency services struggle to respond, according to local authorities and residents.
According to The Citizen, relentless rain has caused serious disruption across the province, with many roads and bridges either submerged or destroyed.
In some areas, families were forced to climb onto the rooftops of their homes to escape rising water levels. Cogta spokesperson Tsakani Baloyi described the severity of the situation, saying: “In some areas, we are told people have to get on top of their roofs to be safe.”
VIDEOS | Two helicopters have been dispatched to airlift flood victims at Mbaula village outside Giyani in Limpopo. Mopani District Municipality spokesperson Odas Ngobeni says a third helicopter from Pretoria has been commissioned.
Videos by community member Khobisa Malatjie pic.twitter.com/8udLI3aFRh— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 15, 2026
Cogta spokesperson Tsakani Baloyi said the scale of the flooding was alarming, noting: “In some areas, we are told people have to get on top of their roofs to be safe.” She added that rescue teams, including helicopter support, were deployed to assist communities that had become inaccessible.
As reported by EWN, the damage to infrastructure has intensified pressure on emergency services, with several roads and bridges either washed away or severely damaged, effectively isolating villages and disrupting access to schools, clinics and food supplies.
GIYANI FLOODING WORSENS
Orange Level 9 alert still active in Limpopo, heavy rains have overflowed rivers like Nsamidam, isolating more villages. Roads & bridges submerged, schools inaccessible, power outages reported.
Stay indoors, avoid floodwaters. Emergency teams active. pic.twitter.com/FfEEHB4FHN— Hope SA 🕊 (@HopeSAfoundatio) January 14, 2026
The provincial government has since moved to request national intervention to help manage the disaster. Cogta MEC Basikopo Makamu said authorities were taking urgent steps to secure additional support, stating: “Already we are in the process of submitting a local state of disaster, but we are also looking at classifying it as a provincial state of disaster.”
Residents in affected areas say the collapse of bridges has brought daily life to a standstill.
As stated by TimesLIVE, community members described how entire villages were cut off, with no vehicles able to enter or leave.
Limpopo CoGTA MEC Basikopo Makamu says the SANDF is rescuing community members of Mbaula village, which has been left inaccessible due to the floods. @sholwana_z has more.
Watch: https://t.co/3G7VitcF2e pic.twitter.com/JKqEAVWG1i
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 15, 2026
One resident said the damage had left families desperate for assistance, explaining that basic necessities were now out of reach due to destroyed access routes.
Weather authorities have warned that rainfall is expected to continue in parts of the province, raising fears that conditions could worsen. Emergency officials have urged residents to avoid flooded roads and river crossings, while relief efforts remain ongoing as teams assess the full extent of the damage caused by the floods.
‼️⚠️🛑‼️Red level 10 warning for: Disruptive Rain
Affected area: Mpumalanga & Limpopo
Validity period: 15 – 16 January 2026#SAWS #WEATHEROUTLOOK #SOUTHAFRICANWEATHER pic.twitter.com/LmmaITThKQ— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 15, 2026
𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝟰𝟬 𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔
A bridge has collapsed on the R40 outside Phalaborwa, Mopani District in Limpopo causing major disruption to traffic.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes until further notice.… pic.twitter.com/P4mWCcForu
— Limpopo Chronicle (@LimChronicle) January 15, 2026
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
