H14 at Letaba low water bridge, 16 January. Picture: Supplied / SANParks Access is to the Kruger National Park (KNP) is becoming increasingly limited as rain persists in the far north-east of the country. Limpopo and Mpumalanga have been battered with heavy rains throughout the week, destroying infrastructure and reportedly claiming the lives of at least 19 people.
The majestic bush setting of the KNP has been swamped by large bodies of water that engulfed visitor camps, staff accommodation and bridges. South African National Parks (SANParks) stated on Friday morning that the water level of the Letaba River had subsided, but two keys bridges later showed extensive damage. The H14 at the Letaba low water bridge, which connects the Phalaborwa Gate and the Mopani Rest Camp was fully submerged by 9.30am on Friday.
Video shared by SANParks later in the day shows the Letaba high water bridge covered in debris and inaccessible even by foot. The video showed how the water had washed away much of the earth where the bridge’s abutment meets the riverbank. WATCH: Footage from the Letaba high water bridge, followed by scenes from the Satara Rest Camp area.
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Damaged roads in the north of park have left the area inaccessible, the Satara Rest Camp in the southern half of the park was submerged in water as of Friday morning. “Affected staff have been successfully evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
Satara Rest Camp will be closed as water supply and electricity is disrupted,” SANParks spokesperson JP Louw confirmed. Day visitation has been suspended since Thursday, while guest evacuations resulted in the abandonment of holiday provisions.
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