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Olifants river running strongly below camp. Lots of rain and wind last night.....calming down a bit now and not actually raining. Connection too slow to allow photos, sorry.

Also know that today they are arranging to get food up to the staff stranded in the northern area. Those in flooded camps/picnic sites have been evacuated, but still cannot get out easily.

Just seen a pic of Letaba high-level bridge at 01h00 this morning, where the river is finally going over it.

Scary stuff!

Jacaranda Radio Station is reporting rescue mission at Shingwedzi due to 70 people being trapped by high water levels. Hope they all safe.

Jaco V and Reinette's pics taken two hours ago this morning - at Letaba. You can see the 2000 flood level mark in the camp and at the high water bridge. The high water bridge is flooded.


Letaba21jan5 by dinkybird, on Flickr


Letaba21jan4 by dinkybird, on Flickr


Letaba21jan3 by dinkybird, on Flickr


Letaba21jan2 by dinkybird, on Flickr


Letaba21jan1 by dinkybird, on Flickr

Maybe not a good idea for us to visit Letaba this morning then.

SL, everything is still fine according to a friend of mine from Letsitele, but the Tzaneen and Ebenheser dams are overflowing.

Here is an insert that was on the tv news here in SA - it gives a good idea of how powerful those rivers in flood are. And a little bit on the KNP.

Wow, one can hardly believe what you are seeing!
To see the Letaba high level bridge being flooded gives you some idea of how high the river has actually risen.
My heart goes out to all those in dire straits in the flooded areas.

Thanks scipio I just spoke to my mom she says they are safe and as you said the dams are overflowing my brother says that the tzaneen dam was only 60% full on Friday so its great news that its full again but I think the farmers in letsitele have got alot of crop damage citrus exports aren't going to be great this year

One wonders how these bridges hold up with the pounding they are getting, one weak spot and gone. Scary to see all that water rushing over the bridge.

A month ago when we crossed that bridge there was almost no water!

The bridges are pretty strong but often what causes their demise is when a large tree/s gets washed against them, or a build up of debris washed down the river.

Scipio, WildCard has advised that Shingwedzi has in fact been closed, as ell as Sirheni and Shimuwini. So my earlier report was correct. Staff members that were rescued and transported to Mopani

HR's phoned me now. Shingwedzi is destroyed, people were evacuated and the BBW is moved to Satara.

I do not have full details on this, but 3 cars were washed away. The driver of one vehicle is still missing. Hope and pray that he is ok.