Key Takeaways:
- The Kruger National Park has closed the Pafuri and Giriyondo gates due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
- Campers are being relocated to less saturated areas, and park staff are monitoring conditions to ensure visitor safety.
- Several rivers in the park are flowing at high speed, and guests are advised to avoid driving through flooded roads and low-lying bridges.
- The South African Weather Service has issued an orange level 9 warning for disruptive rainfall in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
- A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected in the Eastern Cape until Tuesday.
Introduction to the Situation
The Kruger National Park has been experiencing heavy rainfall over the weekend, leading to the closure of the Pafuri and Giriyondo gates by the Border Management Authority. The park’s management has taken this decision to ensure the safety of visitors, as the heavy rainfall has caused several rivers to flow at high speed. Campers in the park are being relocated to less saturated areas, and park staff are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken.
Park Closures and Safety Precautions
The park’s spokesperson, JP Louw, has advised guests and staff to adhere strictly to no-entry and road closure signage, avoid driving through flooded roads and low-lying bridges, and refrain from removing logs, debris, or barriers placed on roads. The park management is taking all necessary precautions to ensure visitor safety, and guests are advised that road closures may occur at short notice. The Sabie River is also rising, which is expected to impact the Sand River, potentially affecting travel routes between Satara rest camp, Tshokwane picnic site, Lower Sabie rest camp, and Skukuza rest camp.
Rainfall Figures and Weather Warnings
The rainfall figures for the park show that several areas have received significant amounts of rain, with Pafuri receiving 90mm of rain overnight. Other areas, such as Houtboschrand, Tshokwane, and Mooiplaas, have also received substantial amounts of rain. The South African Weather Service has issued an orange level 9 warning for disruptive rainfall on Monday into Tuesday over the eastern areas of the Mopani district in Limpopo, Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, and the Collins Chabane local municipality. A level 6 warning has also been issued over the escarpment of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Weather Forecast and Fire Danger
The weather service has warned that no rain is forecast for drier areas of the country that have been battling runaway veld fires. Instead, extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over the central and eastern parts of Northern Cape, the Central Karoo of the Western Cape, Sarah Baartman district, Nelson Mandela Bay, and in places over the western parts of the Chris Hani district and the Walter Sisulu municipality in the Eastern Cape. A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected until Tuesday over the Eastern Cape, with the exception of the Joe Gqabi area and southern parts of Nelson Mandela Bay. Very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are expected over the Central Karoo of the Western Cape on Monday.
Regional Weather Outlook
The weather outlook for different regions of the country varies significantly. Gauteng is expected to be partly cloudy and warm on Monday, while the Eastern Cape is bracing for a heat wave. The Western Cape is expected to experience very hot to extremely hot conditions over the Central Karoo, and the Northern Cape is expected to experience extremely high fire danger conditions. The park management and weather service are closely monitoring the situation and advising visitors to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Conclusion and Future Plans
In conclusion, the Kruger National Park has taken necessary precautions to ensure visitor safety in the face of heavy rainfall and flooding. The park management is closely monitoring the situation and advising visitors to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The weather service has issued warnings for disruptive rainfall and high fire danger conditions in different parts of the country, and visitors are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The park is expected to remain closed until the situation improves, and visitors are advised to check with the park management for updates on the situation.
