The death toll from heavy flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province this week has risen to 78 and could increase further as search and rescue operations are continuing, a minister said late on Thursday.

Parts of South Africa were lashed by heavy rain and snow since the weekend, in a severe winter cold front that disrupted transport and power networks as well as causing intense flooding.

The death toll stood at 49 on Wednesday.

“The figure has gone to 78 now,” Velenkosini Hlabisa, minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, told public broadcaster SABC.

“Even tomorrow, the more water subsides, the more people will be found,” he added.

Flooding has become more common and severe in South Africa as the impacts of climate change are felt.