Floods and Damages

[Flutterby]

This morning at Nkuhlu.

by Wild Wing Safaris

[Mel]

In addition to Flutts' post:

Update on Kruger National Park as at 12:00

Roads open as at 10:05
H3 Malelane / Skukuza road open.

Camp Closures:
Talamati Bush Camp (Inaccessible)
Biyamiti Bush Camp (Inaccessible)

Road Closures
All Gravel Roads in the South of the Park
Crocodile Bridge Closed
S60 Road between Punda and Pafuri – tar road can be used
H3 Road between Skukuza and Malelane – enter through Malelane to access Berg-en-Dal
Skukuza is only accessible through Phabeni and Kruger Gate or from the North of the Park
Lower Sabie is accessible through Phabeni and Kruger Gate or from the North of the Park
H1/1 Road between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza Closed. Pretoriuskop only accessible from Numbi Gate.
Talamati low water bridge is flooded.
H14 closed – guests going to Mopnai are advised to use Phalaborwa / Letaba then Mopani
H10 Closed between Lower Sabie and Tshokwane

River Update:
Limpopo river in flood
Letaba river 50% high
Levuvhu river 50% high
Crocodile river in Flood

Damages Affecting Camps/Picnic Sites:
Lower Sabie water pump
Pretoriuskop water pump
Nkuhlu water pump
Croc Bridge Camp Water Pump

Picnic Sites:
A full assessment on picnic sites is being conducted, but up to this far only Nkuhlu Picnic site is cut-off

The main bridge to Skukuza on the H2 Nwa’Tshitsaka water has subsided and vehicles can cross over

Please Note:
All main camps are not affected. The park is still accessible. For more information call Central Reservations on 012 428 9111 or the Emergency number on 013 735 4029.

For media enquiries:
Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999

[Mel]

Wonder if the H3 between Skuks and Malelane is open or closed.

[Richprins]

My dad reports breaks in the rain around Pta....so early no rain at Warmbaths, for example but heavy downpour lunchtime...no rain in Pta now...these breaks may help a bit!
Still worried about Olifants river...

[Flutterby]

The infrastructures/facilities which are affected by heavy rains and cannot be accessible at the moment are as follows:

Tourist accommodation closed for precautionary measures

• Talamati Bush camp
• Biyamiti Bush Camp
• Wolhuter Trails Camp
• Boesman Trails Camp
• Olifants Trails Camp
• Balule Bush Camp
• Sirheni Bush Camp
• Bateleur Bush Camp
• Shimuwini Bush Camp
• Ten (10) perimeter units at Berg-en-Dal are closed

Concessions closed

• Shishangeni
• Imbali Lodge
• Tinga lodge c
• Jock of the Bushveld

Roads and Bridges

• All gravel roads in the Marula Region still closed.
• H1-1 from Skukuza to Pretoriuskop closed
• S60 between Punda Maria and Pafuri closed
• H14 between Mopani and Phalaborwa closed
• H1-2 between Skukuza and Tshokwane is closed

Gates/Ports of entry

• Crocodile Bridge Gate is still closed.

Picnic Spots

• Tshokwane picnic spot is now closed

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

[Richprins]

Thanks, Flutts!

In the Lowvelder today SP helicopter evacuated a snakebite victim from Shishangeni Concession! Well done SP!

Only one big shower here today, but plenty rain predicted! At least another break!

[Flutterby]

Also no rain here today, but think it's coming again tonight!

[Richprins]

First big rain arriving here now again, after a 48 hour break! Rose mentioned rivers subsiding yesterday...

[Flutterby]

Date: 11th March 2014

An update on the heavy rains in the Kruger National Park as on 11 March 2014 at 09:00.

Latest udate

S60 between Punda Maria and Pafuri is open.
More heavy rain is expected from Wednesday, 12 March 2014.
As a safety precaution it has been decided to close the following facilities:

Talamati Bush camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Biyamiti Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Wolhuter Trails Camp (closed until Monday, 24 March 2014)
Boesman Trails Camp (closed until Monday, 24 March 2014)
Olifants Trail Camp (closed until Monday, 24 March 2014)
Balule Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Sirheni Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Bateleur Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Shimuwini Bush Camp (closed until Monday, 17 March 2014)
Berg-en-Dal fence temporarily erected.
Concessions closed

Shishangeni
Roads and Bridges

All gravel roads in the Marula Region still closed
H1-1 from Skukuza to Pretoriuskop open
S60 between Punda Maria and Pafuri is open
H14 between Mopani and Phalaborwa open
H1-2 between Skukuza and Tshokwane is open (Sand River low level bridge between Skukuza and Tshokwane is closed).
Gates/Ports of entry:

Crocodile Bridge Gate is closed again due to the flooding of the bridge and is expected to stay closed for the rest of the week.
Picnic Spots:

Tshokwane Picnic Site reopened on 9 March 2014
H3 from Skukuza - Malelane is now open. The northern part of the park is accessible via H12, high water level bridge.

River Update:

Limpopo river water levels dropped.
Letaba river water levels dropped.
Levuvhu river water levels dropped.
Crocodile river water levels dropped.
Damages Affecting Camps/Picnic Sites:

Lower Sabie water pump - temporary water available. Guests to use water sparingly
Pretoriuskop water pump - temporary water available. Guests to use water sparingly
Nkuhlu water pump - temporary water available. Guests to use water sparingly
Croc Bridge Camp Water Pump - temporary water available. Guests to use water sparingly
Olifants Camp - temporary water available. Guests to use water sparingly
Skukuza Camp - temporary water available. Guests to use water sparingly
Talamati Camp - temporary water available. Guests to use water sparingly
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, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999

[Richprins]

Interestingly, one of the stations in the Komatipoort area got over 300mm in the first 10 days of March...its highest MONTHLY total in history!