FLOOD UPDATE: Road/gate closures in Kruger Park

[Toko]

Due to heavy rain experienced in the Kruger National Park, some road and gates had to be closed. until further notice.

SKUKUZA – Please note that the following roads are temporarily closed due to heavy rains experienced in the KNP this morning.
Marula Region – Roads closed:

Tar road – H1-2 (from Skukuza to Satara) is closed due to Sabie Sand and Sand River low water bridges overflowing. Guests are advised to use H12 – Lower Sabie high water bridge to Satara.
Phabeni Low water Bridge is closed due to damages.
Other gravel roads that are closed in the Marula Region are S65, S4, S32, S33, S34, S36 (H1/2 – S125), S84, S125, S37 (H13 -S135) and S35.
Entrance Gates closed:
Phabeni Gate is closed until further notice. Guests are advised to use alternative gates.

http://lowvelder.co.za/319906/flood-upd ... uger-park/

[Richprins]

Thanks, Toks!

It will be interesting and important to see how long the water lasts!

[Flutterby]

Media Release: KNP Drought to Floods, roads closed

Date: 2016-03-09

Most of the Southern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the catchment areas received some good rain overnight; resulting in some of the low water bridges overflowing and closed for traffic today, 9 March 2016.

The affected roads are S1 at Phabeni Gate and that road is closed up to the S3 intersection to Numbi Gate. The low water bridges at Sabie and Sand Rivers at Skukuza are also overflowing and closed.

“Closures are necessary to ensure visitors’ safety during this time and guests are advised to exercise caution and use alternative roads (tarred roads with high water bridges). Motorists should also be on the look-out for animals such as tortoise crossing roads and drinking water from little puddles on the road”, said the KNP’s GM: Communications & Marketing, William Mabasa.

There are few other gravel roads that have been closed around areas such as Tshokwane as follows:

S32
S33
S34
S36 (H1/2 – S125)
S84 loop
S125
S37
S35
“There is a possibility that more roads might be closed due to more water coming in and Technical Services team is monitoring the roads situation. All the roads which are closed are marked with “No Entry” signs or blocked with other objects. Motorists are urged not to use those roads and to drive with caution” commented Mabasa.

Issued by:
South African National Parks: Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park

Media Enquiries:
Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications: SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; cell: 073 373 4999
E-mail: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

William Mabasa
GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

[Lisbeth]

Media Release: KNP Drought to Floods, roads closed

The extremes After the drought the earth is hard and such a lot of water needs time to penetrate.

[Richprins]

Media Release: Update on the KNP road closures

Date: 2016-03-10


Following the substantial rain which fell on 8 March over most of the southern part and catchment area of the Park; the situation at the moment is that water has subsided, with Sabie and Sand River low water bridges which were overflowing now open (on road H1-2 between H4/1 - H12). Flights in and out of the Skukuza Airport are also operational as normal.

“Technical Services team is continuing with the assessment of all closed roads. We would like to again request visitors to the Park that all the roads which are closed are marked with “No Entry” signs or blocked with other objects; motorists are urged not to use those roads, advised the KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips.

The roads which remain closed are:

S1 from Phabeni Gate to S3 intersection (Phabeni Gate therefore remains closed until further notice)
S65 (between S1 – H1-1)
S4 (between S3 – S1)
S32
S33
S34
S36 (between H1/2 – S125)
S84 loop
S125
S37
S35

Issued by:
South African National Parks: Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park

Media Enquiries:
Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications: SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; cell: 073 373 4999
E-mail: rey.thakhuli@sanparks.org

William Mabasa
GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919
E-mail: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

[Flutterby]

Posted this morning on the SP FB page:

‎Lesego Nko
4 hrs · Pretoria ·

PLEASE NOTE: There's been heavy rains at Nxanatseni since last night. The Nyari trails camp - managed by Honorary Rangers has flooded and 12 guests are to be evacuated.

[Bushveld Jock]

We heading to KNP next week, first at Maroela and then over Easter at Shingwedzi. The rain is very welcome, but just hope levels do not rise too high causing damage to Shingwedzi again and evacuations.

[Flutterby]

16/03/2016

Lesley Nyawo

Dear Valued stakeholders
Phabeni Gate and Low Water Bridge on the road S1 from Phabeni Gate will be accessible from Friday, 18 March 2016; Phabeni Gate and the road S1 were closed due to damage on the low water bridge caused by floods last week Wednesday, 09 March 2016.
Regards
Lesley Nyawo

[Flutterby]

20 /03/2016

Lesley Nyawo

Update on the temporary closures of roads and camp in the Nxanatseni Region, Kruger National Park
Please be informed that due to heavy rainfall in Punda Maria and Vlakteplaas, the low level water bridges to Sirheni and on the road H1-7 between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria are flooded and will be temporarily closed until further notice.
Sirheni Bush Camp is temporarily inaccessible; guests currently in Sirheni Bush Camp will remain there until flood levels have subsided and it is safe for the guests to evacuate the camp.
Guests are requested to refrain from making use of all gravel roads in the Nxanatseni region; an assessment on all roads that are affected by the heavy rainfall is currently underway. Further updates will follow as and when they happen.
Regards
Lesley Nyawo

[Toko]

From FB South African National Parks

1 Std ·
Update on the status of roads and camp in the Nxanatseni Region, Kruger National Park.
Please be informed that Sirheni Bush Camp is accessible from today, 22 March 2016; flooding has subsided.
Guests are requested to refrain from using gravel roads in the Nxanatseni region, assessments are still on going and majority of the gravel roads are still wet and not safe for traveling.
Updated on developments will follow as and when they happen.