Floods and Damages

[Richprins]

Malelane Bridge today:
























Croc Bridge today:
















Date: 5th March 2014

Due to heavy rains in and around the southern part of Kruger National Park (KNP) several roads have been closed. Guests are advised not to use any gravel roads and to stay on the tar roads.

The road between Tshokwane and Lower Sabie (H10) is closed.

The Crocodile Bridge Gate is closed due to the flooding of the Crocodile River. Guests are advised to use the alternative route from Lower Sabie to access Crocodile Bridge Camp.

The Wolhuter trail, Bushman trail and the Sweni trail are also all closed due to the rain. Guests booked at these Wilderness trails are advised to contact Hester van den Berg 012 426 5117 / hesther.vandenberg@sanparks.org for changes to bookings.

For tourist enquiries please contact Lucy Nhlapo on 082 908 4753 or lucy.nhlapo@sanparks.org.

Important Notes:

Guest are hereby notified that opening or travelling on a road that has been closed constitutes an offence and such offenders can be fined. Also please note that it is dangerous to cross low level bridges due to the possibility of being washed away.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170

[Mel]

Eish! Hopefully not too much damage being caused.

[Richprins]

Rose is in CB as we speak, and reports the Sabie is also full, and Lower Sabie causeway closed, as presumably Skukuza causeway? She will check tomorrow. Little rain here or there today!

[Richprins]

190mm in Malelane area last night.

The thing is, as said, most of the water comes from the highveld. So Global warming or not, it has to travel a long way. Various tributaries, marshlands, streambeds all over the country have been denuded and developed, either formally or informally. Add to that the lack of stormwater planning in urban areas, more tarmac/paving, less flood control infrastructure, questionable dam management re. sluices opening during breaks, erosion gullies in informal settlements, general removal of plants and topsoil...

It all leads to flash floods, as they say.

Kruger is bearing the brunt of this, IMO!

[Richprins]

Due to heavy rains in and around the southern part of Kruger National Park (KNP) several roads have been closed.

Thanks very much!

Almost all dirt roads turning off from the tar road between CB and Nkuhlu are closed.

[nan]

very impressive

[bigbird]

Heavy rain in Skukuza since before 0300. Not helped by the fact our rondavel is leaking! Heavy rain starting again now.

[nan]

oups, take care of you

[Flutterby]

Taken in Skukuza this morning.

©Rene Roussouw

©Rene Roussouw

Phabeni

©Rene Roussouw

Lower Sabie

©Alwyn Jackie Botha

[Flutterby]

Update on Kruger National Park as at 12:00

As a safety precaution it has been decided to close the following three additional facilities.
· Shimuwini
· Bateleur
· Sirheni
· Balule

Water pump have been repaired at the following:

· Nkuhlu picnic site
· Lower Sabie
· Crocodile Bridge

Attempts to supply alternative accommodation will be made. Visitors are requested to contact reservation on 012 428 9111 should they wish to make alternative arrangements. For any Emergencies call 013 735 4029.
Please note: All main camps are not affected the park is still accessible. For more information call the central reservation on 012 428 9111 or the Emergency number 013 735 4029.

For media enquiries:

Reynold Thakhuli:
Acting Head of Communications
Tel: 012 426 5203 or 073 373 4999