Weeks of relentless rainfall have triggered catastrophic flooding across Mozambique and northern South Africa, forcing the iconic Kruger National Park to suspend all visitor access and evacuate guests and staff by helicopter Thursday.
The disaster has claimed at least 19 lives in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, highlighting the mounting human and environmental toll of this year’s extreme weather.
The National Disaster Management Center confirmed that fatalities have been reported since the rains began last month, with the most recent deaths occurring in villages near Kruger National Park.
Provincial authorities said nearly 200 people have been rescued from rooftops and trees, while others remain at risk in low-lying areas.
Helicopters deployed by the South African National Defence Force have airlifted stranded residents, including a local chief trapped on his home’s roof, to safety.
