Flood Chaos Strikes South Africa As Karoo Rivers Turn Violent

Video filmed by X user Schalk Burger shows dramatic flooding in the Karoo region of South Africa.

The post caption reads: “Flood in the Karoo … crazy”

In the footage, powerful floodwaters surge violently beneath and around the N1 bridge where the Leeu and Gamka rivers meet near Leeu-Gamka. The scene shows fast-moving brown water rushing at high speed, transforming the usually dry Karoo landscape into a raging torrent.

The video captures the force of swollen rivers as water moves rapidly through the area.

The footage documents severe flooding that hit the Central Karoo on June 4, 2026, after heavy rainfall of 50–100 mm in a short period, in some places equal to several years of normal rain.

The flooding led to the closure of the N1 highway at Leeu-Gamka in both directions, with no safe alternative route available at the time.

Disaster management teams were activated as rivers burst their banks, dams spilled over, and multiple roads were affected across the Central Karoo and Garden Route.

Authorities warned residents to avoid flooded roads, low-water crossings, and bridges due to dangerous conditions.