Mbombela - South African National Parks (SANParks) issued an urgent warning on Wednesday that certain gates and roads have been closed as a result of heavy rainfall in the area. It said that the Phalaborwa, Crocodile Bridge and Giriyondo border post entrance gates have been closed. Biyamiti Bush Camp, Shimuwini Bush Camp, Talamati Bush Camp and Tshokwane picnic site have also been closed. The Tinga Private Lodge is being evacuated and guests that were on the Sweni Wilderness Trail have already been evacuated. The SANParks helicopter is currently being used for evacuations where necessary. The roads between Letaba and Olifants and Letaba and Phalaborwa are not accessible, and all gravel roads and low level bridges must be avoided, SANParks warned. Letaba camp is without electricity as the generator room flooded. The causeway on the tar road between Skukuza and Malelane/ Pretoriuskop at Delaporte Waterhole flooded. The tar road between Nwamanzi Lookout and Olifants River Highlevel bridge on H1-4 has been extensively damaged and closed. The causeway over Nshawu River on tar road between Mopani & Letaba (H1-5) flooded, as has the causeway over the Letaba River on tar road between Mopani and Phalaborwa Gate (H14). The causeway on the tar road between Letaba and Phalaborwa gate (H9) near Letaba flooded, which resulted in the closure of Phalaborwa gate. As a result of above Olifants and Letaba cannot be accessed at the moment. SANParks said it will issue further updates on the situation during the afternoon.

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