In a devastating turn of events, the renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa has been forced to halt visitor operations and evacuate guests and staff due to severe flooding in the country’s northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The catastrophic weather conditions have already claimed the lives of at least 19 people across the region, including a tragic incident where a 5-year-old boy lost his life in the town of Giyani, Limpopo.
The South African Weather Service has issued a dire red level 10 warning, forecasting more heavy rainfall in the affected areas and urging residents to stay indoors and avoid driving on flooded roads. Authorities have advised people to move their valuables to higher ground, switch off electricity at the source, and relocate livestock to safer areas.
Despite the park’s best efforts, the rising floodwaters have inundated staff accommodation, prompting the evacuation of workers by helicopter. Wildlife experts, however, have reassured the public that the animals within the national park are not believed to be at high risk, as they instinctively seek higher ground when necessary.
In response to the crisis, the military and rescue services have been deployed to assist in evacuation efforts and the restoration of vital infrastructure. Roads and low-lying bridges have been severely damaged, leaving many schools and health clinics inaccessible.
Limpopo Governor Phophi Ramathuba has acknowledged the “grief and distress” of the province’s citizens, promising 4 billion rand (approximately $244 million or £182 million) to rebuild essential services, including safe electricity and water supplies. The governor has also requested additional funding from the central government, as the “sheer scale of the damage to the road network” has made it impossible for the province and affected municipalities to handle alone.
Experts attribute the increasing frequency and severity of flooding in south-eastern Africa to the effects of climate change, which is making storms in the adjacent Indian Ocean more powerful. As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of this disaster, the focus remains on rescue efforts, infrastructure repairs, and safeguarding the vulnerable communities affected by the devastating floods.
