KNP activates disaster management ahead of Cyclone Dineo
SANParks says it is preparing for Tropical Storm Dineo, which is expected to make landfall as a tropical cyclone on the Mozambican coast near Inhambane and Massinga early this evening.
By tomorrow and into Friday heavy rains can also be expected in the eastern part of Limpopo and the central and northern parts of the Kruger National Park.
SANParks' Rey Thakuli says they are already setting up a forward command centre in the north of the Kruger National Park.
"That consists of tourism officials and rangers within the Kruger National Park. We are also setting up a disaster centre in Skukuza, in the south of the park which will keep contact with the Mpumalanga command centre as well as the South African Weather Service," says Thakuli.
Thakuli says they are already deploying resources such as trucks and buses in case they need to evacuate people.
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"We don't expect a lot of rain in the south, but all the tar roads within the south will remain open. We will only close the gravel roads when it is necessary to do so. At this particular moment the park is operating normally and we are still inviting people to come and enjoy the park," says Thakuli.
Thakuli says animals will be moved to high lying areas.
Kruger National Park spokesperson William Mabasa says their helicopter will also be on the ground to evacuate people where necessary.
"We have taken precautionary measures by making sure we inform all the guests that are in the park to stay in areas where we will be able to locate them should this rain begin to come down," says Mabasa.