Africa Wild

UPDATE ON RAIN SITUATION IN THE KNP

Members of the KNP Disaster Committee met early this morning to assess the impact of the heavy rain in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Members briefed the committee of their initial inspections and assessment regarding roads, water and sewer, vehicle fleet, electrical and mechanical as well Protection through the Operation Centre that has been set up in the Park.
There have been no reports of any major incidents throughout the park except the ones listed below.
Tshokwane: Low level bridge to staff and ranger houses were reported as over flowing resulting in staff personnel trapped at picnic site and others at living houses, but their lives are not threated.
Olifants and Sweni trails: Eleven tourists who were trapped at these trails have been safely airlifted to Satara.
Tamboti: The camp is isolated with 8 guests and staff including the section ranger. The water levels are being constantly monitored and a rescue plan will be executed to airlift them to Satara.
Talamati, Biyamiti: The camps have been closed and guests moved to the safety of Satara and Berg en Daal.
Houtboschrand: Four patrol rangers and a SANDF unit are stuck in the area, they are in constant contact with the Section Ranger and will be assisted.
Muzanzene: Four guests and one staff member have been air lifted to safety.
Shingwedzi: All guests were evacuated to Mopani last night. 70 staff members are currently being evacuated.

ROADS
H1/1 link road between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop has been closed off due to the heavy current over the low level bridge.
Crocodile Bridge Gate is overflowing and as a result the camp has been isolated and no cars are allowed through.
Lucy Nhlapo: Regional Manager Marula: KNP has reiterated her appeal to all visitors to the Park to stick to the tarred roads as all gravel roads have been closed for safety reasons.
At this stage all is still in order at the Skukuza Rest Camp, the biggest in the Park, with the Nwatsishaka river level slowly rising but flowing steadily, however the low level bridge is currently closed as water is overflowing at high velocity, while the high level bridge is being constantly monitored.
NORTHERN PART OF KNP:
The Northern part is still experiencing heavy downpours and the bush camps are still out of bounds. Visitors are still urged to drive only on tarred roads.

Camps and Facilities Closed

• Sirheni,
• Shimuwini,
• Shingwedzi
• Bateleur
• Boulders
• Tamboti
• Talamati
• Muzanzane
• Biyamiti
• Crocodile Bridge
• Makhadzi Picnic Spot
• All trails camps and Wilderness Safaris

Gates Closed

• Crocodile Bridge
• Orpen
• Punda Maria
• Pafuri
• Giriyondo Port of Entry
• Pafuri Port of Entry

Roads Closed

• H1 – 2 Sand River & Sabie Low water bridge – alternatively motorists can use H12
• H1/1 link road between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop has been closed off due to low level bridge overflowing.
• H1-1 – Pretoriouskop to Malelane T-Junction
• H10 – Lower Sabie to Tshokwane
• H7 – Satara to Orpen
• H1 – 9 – Pafuri entrance to Punda
• H15 – Punda Maria to Shingwedzi
• H1 – 6 Letaba to Mopani
• Nwaswitshaka low level bridge.

o NB: All gravel roads in the park have been closed off for safety and motorists are requested to stay on tarred road.

“Generally our emergency plans are running accordingly and we’re constantly monitoring the developments, if anyone requires an update, our emergency 24hour hotline is available 013 735 4325. Please call to check on the conditions in the area you intend visiting” concluded Lucy Nhlapo.
Ends…
Issued by:

SANParks Corporate Communications

Media Enquiries:

Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli, GM: Media Liaison. Tel: 012 426 5170 Cell: 073 373 4999 Email: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

Ike Phaahla, SANParks Media Specialist. Tel: 013 735 4300 Cell: 0836736974 Email: isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

Travel and Tourist Enquiries:
Emergency 24 hour hotline: 013 735 4325

Croc Bridge at 15h15...sent by Sprocky:

More pics from Wild Card Magazine:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 770&type=1

Whilst in the Park from the 7th January to the 18th we noticed that a lot of the flood damage caused by the cyclone in January 2012 had in fact either not been repaired at all or the nature of the repairs was of a temporary nature and we actually said that it would not take much to wash it all away again. I have pictures of the collapsed road at DeLaporte waterhole, N'watishaka bridge as well as the wash away on the Skuk to LS road prior to the rains. The bridges over the N'watimhiri and N'watihambu crossings were a disaster waiting to happen as the drainage holes were completely blocked with grass and soil so even before the heavy rains these had formed huge deep puddles which a small sedan might well have got stuck in! This was noted when the rains had only just started so heaven alone knows what they looked like once these rivers started to flow adding to the burden.

Its so sad that there has been a loss of lives due to this torrential rain.

De Laporte on the PK-Skuks road Dec 2012:


Cyclone, post 10 months!






Tenders, I think, Penny!...

Tenders are a convenient excuse RP

I have seen multi million rand tenders and insurance claims for way bigger things sorted out in a quarter of the time.

It’s about being proactive

Looking at the info, I am wondering how people at Punda are meant to exit?

Ja, BC...first they have to wait for insurance money re. Property, as in camps...don't know if insurance covers roads, don't think so.

Then the money must be "inspected", presumably...while tenders and outsourcing need to be approved.

In the old days Kruger had a massive Technical department that would fix all problems quite quickly, even dams and smaller bridges, never mind maintenance and buildings.

The "plant", which means construction machinery and vehicles, was a massive asset mostly housed at the depot near Skukuza, worth many millions, but has largely disappeared or stands rusting, with the graders being kept for the dirt roads. Also game capture vehicles for the rhinos kept or acquired.

Why don't they have that technical department anymore?? Also waiting for tenders?

Outsourced long ago, Flutts!

That worked well then!!