New Delhi, Jan. 19 -- South Africa declared a national disaster Sunday over torrential rains and floods that have killed at least 30 people in the country's north, damaged thousands of homes and washed away roads and bridges.

The declaration was made by the head of the National Disaster Management Center and announced by the government. It allows the national government to coordinate the response to the disaster.

The worst impact is in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where the fatalities occurred. But the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said at least three other provinces had also been affected by the severe weather.

Parts of South Africa and neighboring Mozambique and Zimbabwe have experien...