Floods and Damages

[Sprocky]

Back from lunch at the Three Bridges Restaurant, it's between Phala and Hoedspruit on the bank of the Olifants River. The rain has not stopped yet, in fact it is getting worse and I was watching the river the entire time. The level must have raised about a metre during the time we were sitting there.

[Flutterby]

Better get a boat ready!

[Sprocky]

The way the rain is coming down now I don't think it will be long until Letaba starts flooding. It is BAD!!!

[Richprins]

Just heard from Letaba...camp still ok, but river full and heavy rain there now again.

[Twigga]

Who would've thought???!!! Another flood exactly a year after 2012 floods
Mother Nature can be a real b!tch sometimes BUT really for the northern parts

Keep safe to all in/ nearKruger now & thanks for the update RP!

[Flutterby]

KNP AFFECTED BY HEAVY RAINS

The recent heavy rains experienced in most part of the country have resulted in closure of some of the camps and gravel roads in the southern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP). The KNP has already experienced heavy rain in the northern part this week where all the bush camps and gravel roads were temporarily closed.

“We are pleased to announce that up to this stage there has been no report of loss or threat to human life. Some of our visitors who were trapped were airlifted to the nearest camps. We urge visitors to refrain from crossing overflowing rivers and to always stay alert at all times” said the KNP’s Regional General Manager: Marula, Ms Lucy Nhlapo.

The following roads; camps and facilities in the KNP are currently not accessible and have been temporarily closed.

Tamboti camp
Talamati camp
Muzandzeni picnic spot
Biyamiti bush camp
Bateleur
Shimuwini
Sirheni
Giriyondo port of entry
Crocodile Bridge camp and entrance gate
H10 Tshokwane to Lower Sabie
H1 -2 Sand River & Sabie low water bridge
H1/1 link road between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop
H7 Orpen to Satara
Nwaswitshaka low level bridge


“All the gravel roads in park have been closed for safety and motorists are requested to stay on tarred roads. We are constantly monitoring the situation around the park and collecting all recorded rainfall levels at different camps to ensure that we keep visitors informed. Our emergency personnel are on high alert and can be contacted at all hours on this number 013 735 4325 ” concluded Nhlapo.

Confirmed bookings between 20 - 22 January 2013 need to be reconfirmed at the following restcamps; Skukuza, Berg en Dal, Pretoriuskop, Satara, Letaba, Mopani and Shingwedzi between 07h00 to 18h00.

For previous media statements on this matter please go to http://www.sanparks.org


....End

Issued by:

Public Relations Department, Kruger National Park on behalf of the Media Relations Practitioner. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4262

Enquiries:

Ike Phaahla; SANParks Media Specialist: Contact: Tel: 013 735 4300 , cell: 0836736974 e-mail: isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Flutterby]

Heavy rains shut Kruger roads
2013-01-21 08:11
News24


"Several camps and gravel roads have been closed since Saturday and remain closed. It is still raining heavily.... We are told that the rain is expected to stop on Wednesday," said KNP spokesman Ike Phaahla.

There had been no fatalities or injuries so far.

Visitors were urged to stay away from rivers and gravel roads and to use only tarred roads.

Those who planned to visit the park were advised to call the reservation centre and confirm their bookings before making their way to the KNP.

The roads, camps and facilities not accessible are: Tamboti camp; Talamati camp; Muzandzeni picnic spot; Biyamiti bush camp; Crocodile Bridge camp and entrance gate; H10 Tshokwane to Lower Sabie; H1 and 2 Sand River and Sabie low water bridge; H1/1 link road between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop; H7 Orpen to Satara; Nwaswitshaka low level bridge; Bataleur; Shimuwini; Sirheni; and Giriyondo port entry.

Contact Numbers
tel: +27 ( 0)13 735 6306/7
fax: +27 ( 0)13 735 6304
Duty Cellphone
cell: 082 802 1209

[Richprins]

Water going over Letaba high bridge.

[Flutterby]

[RobertT]

Shingwedzi also evacuated last night, and more rain still expected. This is some serious water here.