Flights Halted, Schools Closed: Limpopo Flood Crisis Escalates

As Limpopo continues to battle relentless rain and destructive flooding, uncertainty remains over when flights to and from Hoedspruit will resume.

Airlink confirmed on Monday that it had suspended all flights to Hoedspruit due to severe flooding that has rendered several access roads impassable and restricted movement to and from the airport, a key gateway to nearby communities, the Kruger National Park and surrounding lodges.

Hoedspruit Flights Suspended Amid Severe Flooding

The airline said flight operations will only restart once authorities declare conditions safe.

“Airlink is in constant liaison with local stakeholders, including SANParks and the various private lodges in the area, to assist passengers who are stranded at those destinations,” said Airlink spokesperson Linden Burns.

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He added that the airline is also notifying passengers booked to travel to or from Hoedspruit for the rest of the week.

Airlink Apologises as Passengers Face Ongoing Delays

Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht acknowledged the disruption caused by the suspension of flights.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing our customers. Airlink personnel are working with their counterparts at SANParks and the other service providers to do everything possible to minimise the disruption and expedite the resumption of our flights and operations at Hoedspruit airport,” Engelbrecht said.

The airline stressed that flights will only resume once government authorities and Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) give the green light for safe operations.

Schools Disrupted as Limpopo Floods Cut Off Communities

The ongoing downpours have left several districts in Limpopo severely affected, with communities isolated and disaster management teams on high alert. Heavy rain continues to batter Mopani, Vhembe and parts of the Sekhukhune District.

Flooding also disrupted the first day of the school year in the province. Limpopo MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Basikopo Makamu, said an emergency meeting was convened to coordinate the response.

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“We are happy because even the provincial Department of Education has also issued a circular, advising that schools that are in places that are badly affected should not let kids go to school for their safety,” Makamu said.

He further instructed mayors, working with district disaster management officials, to compile costed preliminary reports on flood-related damage and submit them urgently to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.

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