By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African National Parks (SANParks) issued an official statement on the evacuation of visitors to some camps in the Kruger National Park.
SANParks spokesperson for Ike Phaahla says officials will assist guests staying at the Lower Sabie, Talamati, Crocodile Bridge and Biyamiti to evacuate to higher and drier ground with available safe passage out of the park.
“According to reports from the South African Weather Services, various parts of the KNP will continue to receive rainfall as from Friday, 10 February until Friday, 17 February 2023. Disaster management teams in the Park and external role players are on alert and monitoring the impact of this rainfall.
“This is an evacuation route, and no guests will be able to travel through to those camps.”
Phaahla has also warned guests at the Park to stay away from any overflowing bridges.
“We would like to once again urge guests not to attempt to cross any bridges that are overflowing as the dangers of being washed away remain high. Guests are further advised not to open or travel on any roads which have been closed and not to use gravel road.
“As a precautionary measure, the teams have closed gravel roads in the south as well as flagged camps (Talamati, Lower Sabie, Crocodile Bridge and Biyamiti) since the fall of heavy rains in the evening of 8 February 2023.”
No fatalities have been reported; however, there was an incident of a tourist whose vehicle got stuck in the water on one of the bridges.
Guests with bookings at the affected camps are urged to amend their dates.
The Park said tourists must be extra cautious during this period and call the emergency number for any assistance only on 076 801 9679 or 013 735 0197/4064.
Meanwhile Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has warned tourists to be vigilant amid continued heavy rains across parts of the country.
Sisulu said, “It is important for all tourists in and around Mpumalanga and Komani areas in the Eastern Cape to be cautious, especially when travelling at night and when crossing low-lying bridges”.
Rescue teams in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal also warned residents to avoid low-lying bridges.
The South African Weather Service issued an Orange level 9 storm warning which continues for the Lowveld and escarpment areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga for Friday and Saturday.
The warning key works from Green, which is minimal impact, to red which is severe storm impact, and levels one to 10 signify the likelihood of a storm where 10 is highly likely.
The service warns that the impact of this type of storm could be widespread flooding, putting people at risk of being washed away.
It warns of displacement of communities, mudslides and rockfall and roads and bridges possibly washing away.