At the time of going to press, six overseas visitors were being treated by a doctor at Skukuza after they had been stranded at a picnic site at Hamilton Camp the previous night.
“They were rescued by helicopter. Other than this, no major incidents have been reported,” said Glen Phillips, the managing executive of tourism and marketing of SANParks.
“The water level at Lower Sabie is extremely high and we had to arrange alternative accommodation for guests. Tinga near Skukuza also had to be evacuated,” he added.
Guests on wilderness trails were being evacuated by helicopter and Tamboti and Marula Camps also had to be closed. Crocodile Bridge Gate was closed and visitors were advised to make use of Malalane Gate. Giriyondo Border Gate has been severely damaged and may take up to three weeks to be operational again.
“We gather from reports that the worst is over. We are in contact with Mpumalanga’s disaster management centre and we will receive military support if necessary,” said Wanda Mkhutshulwa, the head of communications at SANParks.
Phillips said he had been advised that another storm would be approaching Mozambique near Madagascar, which might result in heavy rain again next Thursday.
According to Mbhekeni Christopher Nkosi of Mbombela’s weather office at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, rain is expected to subside today, with chances of precipitation lowering to 30% tomorrow.
Mala-Mala in Sabi Sands had recorded 238 millimetres of rain within 24 hours.
A large number of routes or areas in the KNP were not accessible yesterday.
Post published in: Africa News