Severe weather forces temporary closures in Garden Route National Park

Nature’s Valley Camp in the Tsitsikamma Section has been temporarily closed, with all guests safely evacuated as the camp becomes increasingly susceptible to flooding.

One notable change in the area has seen the Groot River Mouth naturally opening, allowing water to flow out of the camp and providing some relief from the swelling waters.

While the situation at Nature’s Valley is developing, the Knysna Section is also under strain, with the Thesen Island Office shuttered due to fierce winds and heavy rain. Recent flooding has caused primary damage to the front office structure, raising concern among park officials and visitors alike.

The effects of strong coastal surges and rising tides have led to road closures in low-lying areas near the Knysna Estuary, further complicating access to the park. Meanwhile, in the Wilderness Section, campers have been relocated to formal accommodation facilities as a safety precaution.

The North Camp at Ebb and Flow has also been closed, with the Touw River Mouth and Swartvlei Mouth artificially opened to help manage rising water levels.

In the wake of the extreme weather, all hiking, cycling, and water-based activities have been suspended across the park. South African National Parks (SANParks) teams are deployed in coordination with Disaster Management agencies to ensure the safety of all individuals in affected regions.

While current weather conditions remain inappropriate for infrastructure assessments, officials are committed to evaluating the extent of damage as soon as it is feasible.

Alert reports from the Garden Route District Municipality indicate a recent downgrade of weather warnings from Level 8 to Level 6, although areas including Knysna, Bitou, and George (Langkloof) remain areas of concern.

Overnight, the Stormdrift and Kammanassie Dams began spilling, contributing to elevated water levels in the Groot River, which flow towards Meiringspoort and eventually to the sea near Gouritz.

Access to certain routes is becoming increasingly limited. Authorities have reported that Robinson Pass from the Oudtshoorn side is closed, with Meiringspoort also inaccessible for an indeterminate period due to severe damage.

In Bitou, water supply issues have emerged, causing challenges in several communities that have been cut off from communication. Responses to these situations are ongoing.

Noteworthy is the swollen Olifants River, which has piled debris against a bridge between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn, depicting the severity of the weather’s impact. Another area of focus is the Stompdriftdam, the largest dam in the Klein-Karoo area, which is currently overflowing.

As the situation unfolds, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), alongside the Oudtshoorn Fire Department and SAPS divers, is working ardently to evacuate residents from the Bergoord region safely.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Metro and medical rescue helicopters are also being deployed to assess the situation and deliver food parcels to isolated communities.