The Kruger National Park has evacuated by helicopter both staff and guests as the water breaking from the Letaba River has moved into the Letaba Rest Camp, the South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement.
“Due to persistent and heavy rainfall affecting the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, the park has taken a precautionary decision not to allow day visitors into Kruger National Park until conditions improve,” the statement partly reads.
The Phalaborwa Gate has been closed for 24 hours and is currently under monitoring, restricting access to the northern areas of the park and necessitating the evacuations.
Heavy rains have been pouring for weeks, triggering fatal floodings within the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. The rains are predicted to persist for the next 48 hours.
Severe flooding started earlier in the week, blocking several day visitors from exiting the park. The Crocodile Bridge Gate was repeatedly submerged by rising river levels, creating risks for visitors.
“SANParks is mindful of the current strain on operational and emergency responses on resources during this period of persistent rainfall. As such, the organisation would prefer to focus available resources on real emergencies and ensuring the safety of guests, staff, and surrounding communities, rather than avoidable incidents linked to non-essential travel within the park,” the statement said.
It was also said that the decision to restrict access to the spark was a preventative safety measure. This is being constantly reviewed, and the weather is monitored, and SANParks said the safety of all visitors and staff remains their highest priority.
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