Floodings kill at least 10 in South Africa, triggering the closure of Kruger Park

At least 10 people have been killed following severe flooding caused by torrential rains in northeastern South Africa, prompting authorities to temporarily close the Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s most visited wildlife reserves.

According to officials, the floods have heavily affected Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, where rising water levels submerged homes, washed away roads and left several communities cut off. A provincial spokesperson said nine people died in a village near the Kruger National Park in Limpopo, while emergency teams in Mpumalanga recovered the body of a woman who drowned while trying to cross a swollen river.

Nearly 200 people have been rescued from flood-hit areas as emergency services continue operations amid dangerous conditions. The South African Weather Service issued its highest weather warning, cautioning that further heavy rainfall could worsen the situation in the coming days.
The extreme weather has also forced the closure of Kruger National Park, with authorities suspending access for day visitors and evacuating guests and staff from vulnerable camps after rivers overflowed and key infrastructure became unsafe.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has visited affected areas to assess the damage and oversee government response efforts. Meanwhile, neighboring Mozambique has issued flood alerts and begun evacuations in low-lying areas as water levels continue to rise.
Authorities say the situation remains critical and have urged residents in flood-prone regions to remain alert as rescue and relief operations continue.