South African health officials say 11 people have died of heatstroke after a weeklong heatwave across the country.
Provincial spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said on Sunday that eight people died on Thursday as temperatures passed 40 degrees Celsius in the North West province. Three more people died on Friday, and 16 others were hospitalised.
According to the South African Weather Service, the North West province reached record temperatures this week, with the highest at 45 degrees Celsius. The weather service warned that high temperatures may give way severe thunderstorms in the coming week.
In neighboring Namibia, the Namibian Press Association reported that severe storms damaged 31 houses, affecting nearly 100 people in recent weeks.
Parts of southern Africa are experiencing a drought due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.The deceased were aged between 22 and 58 years, department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.
Some people suffering from heat stroke have been admitted to hospitals, he said.
The Mahikeng Provincial Hospital alone accepted 16 people over the past three days.
As a persistent heat wave continues unabated, the North West province has been declared a drought area under the Disaster Management Act.
The heat wave has also worsened dry conditions in Free State and Limpopo -- both maize-producing regions.
The dry conditions are believed to be caused by cyclones in the Indian Ocean which have absorbed the moisture from the subcontinent's interior.
Crop farmers in the north-west have suffered an estimated loss of 4.3 billion rand (about $269 million) due to the severe drought.
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