Kruger National Park has been temporarily shut to visitors after severe flooding hit South Africa’s northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, forcing emergency evacuations of guests and staff, some of whom were airlifted by helicopter.
The floods, triggered by weeks of torrential rainfall, have claimed at least 19 lives across the country and caused widespread destruction. Thousands of homes have been damaged, with some completely washed away. Among the victims was a five-year-old boy in the Limpopo town of Giyani. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area to assess the damage and personally offered condolences to the child’s family.
South Africa’s Weather Service has issued a red level 10 warning, the highest alert, predicting more heavy rainfall in already affected areas. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors where possible, avoid flooded roads, move valuables to higher ground, disconnect electricity supplies, and relocate livestock to safer areas.
Inside Kruger National Park, rising waters submerged staff housing overnight, prompting urgent evacuations. Park officials say wildlife is unlikely to face major danger, as animals instinctively move to higher ground during flooding.
Emergency services, including the military, have been deployed to rescue stranded residents in some of the worst-hit communities. In Limpopo, several low-lying bridges have collapsed, while roads, schools, and health facilities have been badly damaged or cut off.
The Limpopo provincial government has announced plans to spend about 4 billion rand to restore critical infrastructure such as electricity, clean water, roads, and public facilities, acknowledging the deep distress faced by affected communities.
Experts say flooding across south-eastern Africa is becoming more frequent and intense, with climate change strengthening storms over the Indian Ocean and increasing the risk of extreme weather events in the region.