Heavy rains have left a trail of destruction in the Eastern Cape town, with the official death toll now at 88 and over 1 000 residents displaced from their homes.

The floods, described as some of the worst the region has seen in years, have triggered widespread panic as families struggle to locate their loved ones.

Gift of the Givers, working alongside the SA Police Service and provincial emergency services, recovered two more bodies on Sunday as search and recovery efforts continued across the affected areas.

Project Manager Ali Sablay has urged families who have not yet reported missing relatives to do so without delay.

“We appeal to all families who are missing people to please report it to your nearest police station, your councillor or community leader. Without this information, our teams and authorities won’t know who we are searching for,” Sablay said.

The organisation confirmed that search operations will continue over the next several days, especially as more missing persons are being reported daily. Authorities and aid workers are also providing temporary shelter and food parcels to those displaced by the floods.

Emergency teams remain on high alert as further rainfall is forecast for parts of the province in the coming week.

--ChannelAfrica--