Red Level 10 Warning Issued as Severe Flooding Grips Limpopo and Mpumalanga

Extreme Weather Batters South African Provinces

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued and maintained a **Red Level 10 warning** for disruptive rainfall across parts of the **Limpopo** and **Mpumalanga** provinces, signaling an extreme and ongoing threat to life, infrastructure, and essential services. This marks the first time such a severe warning has been issued in nearly four years, as relentless downpours have led to widespread flooding and significant disruption across the region.

Heavy rainfall, with accumulations ranging from **10 to 50 mm** and isolated areas receiving **100 to 200 mm** between January 11 and 12, 2026, has saturated catchments. Further heavy rain, estimated at **100 to 200 mm**, was anticipated over the subsequent 24 to 48 hours from January 15, exacerbating already critical conditions. Some regions have reportedly received over **400 to 500 mm** of rain.

Widespread Disruption and Infrastructure Damage

The severe weather has caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure. Roads and bridges have been rendered impassable or completely washed away, and homes and public facilities have sustained significant damage. Essential services, including water and electricity, have been severely disrupted in numerous communities.

In Limpopo, particularly hard-hit areas include **Maruleng**, **Ba-Phalaborwa**, **Bushbuckridge**, **Greater Giyani**, and **Greater Tzaneen**. In Mpumalanga, **Nkomazi** and the **City of Mbombela** have experienced substantial impacts. The Department of Water and Sanitation reported that **14 of 19 monitored dams in Limpopo** are now exceeding 100% capacity, with major structures like the **Nsami Dam (128%)**, **Tzaneen Dam (108%)**, and **Nandoni Dam (105%)** actively discharging large volumes of water, creating downstream hazards.

Education authorities have ordered widespread **school closures** across several districts, notably in Limpopo's **Vhembe** and **Mopani** districts, due to inaccessible routes and safety concerns for students and educators.

Kruger National Park Operations Affected

The iconic **Kruger National Park (KNP)** has been significantly impacted by the flooding. South African National Parks (SANParks) has taken the precautionary measure to **temporarily close the park to day visitors** until conditions improve.

Several rest camps within the park have been evacuated, including:

• Crocodile Bridge
• Olifants
• Letaba
• Shingwedzi
• Sirheni
• Bateleur

Access to the park has been severely restricted, with the **Crocodile Bridge**, **Phalaborwa**, and **Punda Maria** entrance gates closed. Many tourist bridges within the park have also been blocked off due to rising river levels, such as the **Letaba River**, which is reportedly at levels seen during the catastrophic 2000 floods, and the **Sabie River** at the Low Water Bridge near Skukuza.

Further travel disruptions include the suspension of all **Airlink flights** to and from **Hoedspruit Airport** in Limpopo, as key access roads to the airport have become impassable.

Emergency Response and Outlook

Emergency services have been stretched thin, conducting multiple rescue operations in flood-stricken communities. The **South African National Defence Force (SANDF)** has been deployed to assist, including an air rescue mission near **Giyani** where a family was stranded. There have been tragic reports of fatalities linked to the floods.

President **Cyril Ramaphosa** visited flood-ravaged Limpopo on January 15, receiving briefings from provincial leaders and disaster management officials on the scale of the damage. The provincial government has acknowledged its limited capacity to fully respond to the widespread devastation.

While weather conditions are anticipated to gradually improve from around **January 19, 2026**, with more stable conditions expected from **January 20** onwards, officials caution that river levels and saturated soils will take time to recede. The Red Level 10 warning remains in effect until the immediate threat subsides.