By Dale Hes
Mbombela - The South African National Parks (SANParks) has advised Kruger National Park visitors to use alternative routes after a number of camps and bridges were closed due to flooding.
SANParks spokesman Isaac Phaahla said constant rain since Sunday has caused extensive flooding in the south of the Kruger, with some roads closed, camps inaccessible and bridges submerged.
“The Crocodile River Bridge is submerged and has been closed, while the Biyamiti and Talamati camps are inaccessible. We hope that there will be no permanent structural damage to the bridge, but we will see once the water subsides,” Phaahla said.
He added that the S25, S139 and S114 roads are also closed due to the flooding, and advised visitors to use the Malelane Gate as an alternative to the Crocodile Bridge Gate.
More than 140mm of rain has fallen in the south of the Kruger since Sunday, with more rain expected for the next two days.
Phaahla said for now the flooding is light compared to previous floods.
In January 2013, flooding forced the closure of several camps and most roads in the Nxanatseni region of the Park.
Heavy flooding in 2012 caused the closure of several gates, the evacuation of tourists from camps and extensive damage to roads.
In 2000, the worst instance of flooding in recent history caused rivers to burst their banks, submerging camps and making the Park virtually inaccessible. – SAnews.gov.za
