Kruger Gateway Floods: Hoedspruit Airport Closes, Tourists Evacuated

Key Takeaways

• Heavy rainfall in Limpopo and Mpumalanga has caused flooding and disruption in the region, with some areas experiencing over 150mm of rain in a short period.
• The flooding has led to the closure of some roads and bridges, with helicopters being used for evacuations and transportation.
• Conservation workers and residents are preparing for any eventuality, with memories of the devastating 2012 floods still fresh in their minds.
• Despite the challenges, wildlife is expected to cope with the flooding, with animals able to move to higher ground and conservation teams monitoring conditions.
• The South African Weather Service has issued Orange Level 9 warnings for eastern Limpopo and the Mpumalanga Lowveld, indicating a high risk to life with widespread flooding and damage.

Introduction to the Floods
As a storm from Mozambique continued to drench parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, pilots, conservation workers, and residents in and around Hoedspruit, Limpopo, were watching river levels with concern. The region has experienced severe flooding in the past, including the devastating 2012 floods, which submerged lodges and forced tourists and residents to be ferried out by boat and helicopter. Gerry McDonald, a helicopter pilot with Big Game Heli Services in Hoedspruit, was preparing for any eventuality, with the rivers rising and predictions anticipating more rain.

Current Situation in Sabi Sand Nature Reserve
The Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, an enclave of iconic private reserves on Kruger National Park’s southwestern border, was open and operating, despite the challenging weather conditions. Riaan Kruger, the reserve manager, stated that guests were being transported in 4×4 vehicles, and larger service trucks were not accessing the reserve. However, Kruger cautioned that the situation was being closely monitored, with memories of the catastrophic effects of Cyclone Leon-Eline in 2000 still fresh in his mind. The reserve had received 150mm of rain from Sunday to Tuesday, with more rain forecast for the next few days.

Roads and Bridges Affected
The flooding had caused significant disruption to roads and bridges in the region, with the R527 Zandspruit Bridge leading out of Hoedspruit being closed due to flooding. The bridge was completely submerged in brown, soupy water, and traffic authorities had closed the road. Dr. Ben Muller, a veterinarian with Wildscapes Veterinary and Conservation Services, confirmed that river crossings had been disrupted, with people stuck on either side of the rivers. The Blyde River had reportedly burst its banks, leaving people on estates near the river unable to reach central Hoedspruit.

Lessons from the Past
Gerry McDonald pointed to the role dams had played in past disasters, including the 2012 floods. The dams had broken, causing devastation below, and the dam infrastructure in Klaserie along the eastern central Kruger region was not rebuilt after the floods. McDonald noted that the ground was now saturated, and any water from the rain would just run off, leading to flooding. The region had already received significant rains this season, and the storm from Mozambique had soaked the ground, increasing run-off.

Impact on Wildlife
Despite concerns about the impact on wildlife, McDonald was unequivocal that the flooding would not affect the wildlife at all. The animals could move freely and get onto high ground, just as they had in 2012. Dr. Muller echoed this sentiment, stating that conservation teams and reserve managers were monitoring conditions and planning contingencies, particularly for animals kept in camps. The Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre outside Hoedspruit reported that it had not received any reports of injured animals nor had it taken in animals hurt by rain or flooding.

Disruption, Not Devastation
The picture emerging in reserves and the broader conservation industry in northeastern South Africa was one of severely testing conditions and isolation rather than all-out devastation. Flooded causeways, detours, stranded vehicles, and temporary evacuations by helicopter were common. The South African National Parks (SANParks) advisory stated that some roads and gates in Kruger National Park had been closed, with gates at Pafuri and Punda Maria being inaccessible. The park was actively contacting guests with imminent arrivals to reschedule their visits.

Outlook for the Future
In the 24 hours to 8am on Tuesday, some South African Weather Service (Saws) stations in the greater Kruger region had tracked more than 150mm of rain. Saws issued Orange Level 9 warnings for eastern Limpopo and the Mpumalanga Lowveld and escarpment on Wednesday, indicating a high risk to life with widespread flooding and damage. The warnings remained in place due to disruptive rain, with significant impacts likely due to saturated soil. Hoedspruit citrus farmer Braam van der Merwe pointed out that he had experienced limited disruptions, but farms in Tzaneen had received over 100mm of rain. The region was now positively bursting with life and vast, iridescent tracts of rolling green bushveld, but the wild card was when the rain would end.