Kruger National Park, South Africa’s most famous wildlife reserve, temporarily shut its gates to visitors Thursday after weeks of torrential rainfall triggered deadly flooding in the country’s Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
Park officials said the closure was a precautionary measure until conditions improve, as forecasters predict heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours.
Earlier in the day, staff members and guests were rescued by helicopter after one of the campsites flooded.
South Africa weather service issues highest warning level for heavy rainfall
The South African Weather Service issued its highest warning level for parts of the northern region, with 100 to 200 millimeters (about 4 to 8 inches) of rain expected over the next two days.
The warning “is quite unprecedented,” it said.ย
Heavy rains began in December, causing rivers to burst their banks and destroying roads. At least 19 people have died in the neighboring provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, where Kruger is located, since last month.
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Limpopo province on Thursday, where searchโandโrescue teams had been deployed to help residents left stranded by severe flooding.
According to the South African National Defence Force, it has been using helicopters and other aircraft to assist with evacuating stranded people.
Animals can adapt and move to higher ground
South Africa’s largest national park, Kruger spans some 20,000 square kilometers (7,722 square miles), about the size of Israel, and borders Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The reserve is home to the so-called big five, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
A park spokesperson said the animals are adaptable and can move to higher ground.
Reynold Thakhuli, saidย precautionary measures were needed to protect guests.
“We had to proactively start evacuating certain camps, particularly bush camps and rustic camps,” Thakhuli told The Associated Press.
“At this moment thereโs no predictions in terms of when will the rain stop, so we are monitoring on a daily basis.”
Record rains batter neighboringย Mozambique
Record rains have also battered neighboring Mozambique, prompting authorities to evacuate people from low-lying areas.
Mozambique’s weather service said more rain and damaging winds were expected in the coming days, including in the capital, Maputo.
Edited by:ย Louis Oelofse