Airlink said it suspended all flights to and from Hoedspruit in Limpopo due to severe flooding that has left many roads impassable.
Some residents of Limpopo had to climb onto the roofs of their homes to escape raging floods, the provincial department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) said, as rain continues to fall across the province.
Widespread flooding
Both Limpopo and Mpumalanga are grappling with severe weather conditions. Relentless rainfall has caused widespread flooding, school closures, infrastructure damage, and the suspension of flights.
People on roofs
Limpopo Cogta spokesperson Tsakani Baloyi said the rain is persisting around Giyani and other areas.
“In some areas, we are told people have to get on top of their roofs to be safe. The chopper from Phalaborwa is going to a place called Maula Ranch.”
Baloyi said Cogta MEC Basikopo Makamu will be visiting some affected areas.
“The MEC is going to Giyani. He was doing a back-to-school campaign, and he could not find any children [at one school] and only a few teachers, as the other teachers could not get to the school.
“So the situation is still dire. It’s still raining,” Baloyi said.
𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗢 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦
— Limpopo Chronicle (@LimChronicle) January 14, 2026
Parents in Riba Cross, London outside Burgersfort in Limpopo say flooding and the lack of a bridge continue to endanger children travelling to school. With no safe crossing, learners are forced to navigate overflowing water daily.
The community says… pic.twitter.com/24fuf4SPsF
ALSO READ: Gift of the Givers have hands full with relief requests in flood-ravaged Limpopo
More rain
The South African Weather Service (Saws) said showers are expected to continue throughout the day, with poor visibility, especially in the morning.
“It may become intermittent late in the afternoon, but we expect another 70 to 130mm of rainfall today.”
Floods in Limpopo 😟 pic.twitter.com/QA0WcX3x4q
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) January 14, 2026
Schools closed
On Wednesday, Makamu called an emergency meeting to coordinate stakeholders to address the effects of the floods.
“The provincial department of education has issued a circular, advising that schools in places that are badly affected should not let kids go to school for their safety.”
Makamu requested that all mayors working with district disaster officials prepare costed preliminary reports on the damage caused by the rain, to be submitted urgently to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.
Flights suspended
On Wednesday, Airlink said it suspended all flights to and from Hoedspruit in Limpopo as severe flooding has left many roads impassable and restricted access to the airport, which serves communities in the area, the nearby Kruger National Park, and surrounding lodges and resorts.
Airlink said flights will resume only once the government, the airport operator and local authorities declare it safe for operations.
ALSO READ: Severe weather: Fresh warning for Kruger National Park
