South Africa has declared a ‘national disaster’ in the country after floods and storms caused widespread damage.

Elias Sithole, head of South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre, said in an official statement on Wednesday that rain, flooding, strong winds and hail affected the provinces of Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga from 22 to 29 October.

This has caused damage to property, infrastructure and the environment, and disrupted the delivery of essential services.

The floods have killed at least 10 people and displaced hundreds in the Eastern Cape alone, the national news agency in Johannesburg reported.

Sithole said the national disaster declaration gives the national government primary responsibility for coordinating and managing the clean-up.