January 2013 Rains/Floods in Kruger

[Lesego]

Dear forumites;

Please be advised that the Sabie River has flooded. We will keep you updated as the day progresses.

[bert]

Sirheni is not currently accessible due to the low water bridge being flooded. We will offer assistance in diverting guests. We apologise for any inconvenience caused

Les and SANparks will post ASAP.

[JenB]

Heavy rains over eastern and northern parts of South Africa this weekend.

Posted on 16 January 2013.

The South African Weather Service wishes to advise the public that there is a high likelihood of widespread heavy rains over North West, Gauteng, eastern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga from late Friday 18th January 2013 to Sunday 20th January 2013. These heavy rains will be caused by an intense low pressure moving in from Botswana.

As consequence of heavy rains, the river and stream systems will begin flowing strongly. The danger of flash-flooding should be kept in mind. There have already been heavy rains experienced over parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo earlier this week and rivers in these areas are running high. These two provinces run the highest risk for flooding this weekend.

The public are therefore urged not to try to cross rivers and streams that are in flood, irrespective of whether they are on foot or in a vehicle. People living in areas close to rivers or within flood plains must also monitor the rising water levels.

These heavy rains are also likely to have serious impact on the opening day of the AFCON football tournament starting on Saturday at the National Stadium in Johannesburg.

The neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and southern Mozambique will also be affected by these adverse weather conditions.

Weather forecasts are updated regularly and available at www.weathersa.co.za. More information is also available on twitter @SAWeatherServic.

[ndloti]

Simon Gear of SABC TV weather & 50/50 fame reported this morning on Radio 702 that the Shingwedzi river is running from bank to bank .

Six day rain forecast :

http://www.weatherphotos.co.za/rain_wxmaps_sixdays.html

[Mads]

Hi Forumites!!

I just saw photos of the floods in the Northern Part of Kruger!!! It is amazing!! If you know the northern part of Kruger this will absoloutely bowl you over!!

Here is the link:

http://www.weg.co.za/fotografie/galery/5673/24

Enjoy!!

[johanrebel]

Pafuri Camp is now at 200 mm or so, which is a lot, but not a record.

The airstrip has flooded, and at some point the H1-9 tar road flooded just east of Madzitsomo Pan, i.e. about 500 meters north of Luvuvhu Bridge.

The Luvuvhu River is running bank to bank.

Johan

[spargish]

Seems like Kruger is getting hammered by rain today! Seen reports of the s65 flooded, h1-1 nearing transport dam has collapsed again, bridge on the h4-1 after nkhulu heading towards lower Sabie flooded and the lowle el crossing on the H5 isimpassable!

Lets hope it's not as bad as last year and no one gets hurt

[GlenD]

I've seen some pics of the H7 just outside Orpen that is flooding with a car that got stuck.

Also heard they are evacuating guests at Biyamiti right now.

[Franconel]

On the website weathersa.co.za it shows that for the 24 hour period ending at 08:00 this morning, Skukuza had 133mm of rain and Punda Maria 21mm

[cheetah2111]

News from Karen Birkenbach:

"Biyamiti being evacuated"

[Mads]

Byamithi and Tambotie camp has been evacuated...

[DuQues]

Latest update by Ben Tupper:

Ben Tupper
In satara watching the helicopter evacuate people...flooding takes over the kruger!!

Duco Quanjer In Satara!? So it is worse than last year?

Ben Tupper Not sure if its worse, river levels are not quite as high but they closed the H7 to orpen and a lot of other bridges!

[DinkyBird]

It is absolutely amazing that one year ago, yesterday, the big flood of Jan 2012 started ... see here.

[Crested Val]

This was the view from the causeway over the Letaba River on the H14 yesterday morning. It's usually almost a dry river bed!!
It was just passable, but we have had heavy rain all night and this morning in Phalaborwa, so I would imagine it is even worse by now. Take care all who are in the park at the moment!!!

[Nicolette]

I just pray that Kruger will be okay. Last year they coped wonderfully. Lesego is a star again. I hope our infrastructure stands the water. I pray all people and animals are safe and life gets back to normal. On a not so nice thought I wish the pachers would be swept way!!!