Eye of the storm

On the morning of 14 February, the sky over Augrabies Falls National Park was blue and clear. We went for a walk and drove the 90 km game-viewing route. By 10 am it was already 30° C, which is not unusual in this region. Around lunchtime a few clouds appeared in the sky, and by 2 pm it was obvious that a storm was brewing. We headed back to the rest camp, past Echo Corner and Oranjekom, as clouds gathered overhead. Half an hour later we were faced with this “mountain” of swirling clouds. It’s not a koppie in the picture: It’s the storm! The wind sucked up dust and debris and spat it out. We made it back to camp just in time. The storm was fierce but brief – it passed after half an hour, leaving broken branches, uprooted trees and twisted roof panels in its wake. DERICK TEN KROODEN, Pretoria