The death toll from flooding in one of South Africa's poorest provinces rose to at least 78 on Thursday.

Lack of resources is hampering rescue attempts, said a senior official in charge of the rescue teams, at a time when the process has already lasted three days.

The local press is talking about the worst floods that hit the town of Mthatha and surrounding areas, sweeping away victims along with parts of their homes and cars.

Oscar Mabuyane, the premier of the Eastern Cape province, was quoted by the local press as saying that the floods occurred while many people were asleep.

The water reached a height of 3 to 4 meters in some places when it overflowed from a river and reached nearby communities, he added.
Mabuyane also said that the local authorities had struggled to launch an effective rescue effort, as the disaster happened in what he described as a region lacking in resources.
The premier of the Eastern Cape said that the predominantly rural province of the Eastern Cape in southeastern South Africa, which is home to around 7.2 million people, has only one rescue helicopter.

He came to Mthatha from the town of Gqeberha, more than 500 kilometers away. A second helicopter was also sent to help.