Mpumalanga – Damage caused by severe flooding at South Africa’s Kruger National Park will take years to repair and is expected to cost millions, according to the country’s environment minister.
The floods followed heavy rainfall that caused several rivers running through the park to burst their banks, forcing authorities to temporarily close the reserve last week. Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s most important tourism attractions, drawing large numbers of local and international visitors each year.
Minister of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp said fifteen tourist camps remain closed, with some areas still completely inaccessible. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the park, and no fatalities were reported.
Assessments of the destruction are ongoing, but early estimates place the cost of repairs at more than 500 million rand, equivalent to about 30 million dollars.
“The recent floods that we’ve experienced have had a devastating effect on the park,” Aucamp told Reuters. “The indication is that it will take as long as five years to repair all the bridges and roads and other infrastructure.”
Journalists who accessed the park last week found bridges submerged beneath fast flowing water, while hippos were seen swimming among treetops. Park officials said there is limited concern about wildlife, noting that animals instinctively move to higher ground during flooding. However, residents living near the park have been warned to remain cautious, particularly of crocodiles that may have been swept beyond their usual habitats.
Flooding across southeastern Africa has become more frequent and severe, with scientists linking the trend to climate change and increasingly powerful storms forming over the Indian Ocean. Neighbouring Mozambique has also been affected, with recent floods forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
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