Parts of KZN still drought struck
Parts of KwaZulu-Natal could be completely out of water by the end of summer, if residents do not use water sparingly, an engineer has warned.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation KZN chief engineer, Norman Ward, dam levels are still dangerously low, with little expectations of heavy rains over the festive season,Zululand Observer reported.
“We are simply not yet out of the woods. Northern KZN’s industries and irrigation farmers have significantly cut their water usage,” Ward said.
He added the biggest problem was consumers still not complying with the water restrictions. Currently, the Goedertrouw Dam is at 36.8%, Hluhluwe at 34%, Klipfontein (between Vryheid and Ulundi) at 35% and Pongolapoort at 54%.
Owing to the Pongolapoort Dam’s low water level, the annual environmental flood release to fill the region’s floodplains will not take place this year. This is normally done at the beginning of October.
The Pongola floodplain is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in SA, with lagoons, lakes, marshes, forests and grassland providing habitat for a wide variety of birds, fish and animals.
Not being able to fill these will also negatively impact the thousands of locals who live off the resources, Ward added.
“If we get much-needed downpours, we could be freed from this dry spell, but sadly, the forecast for summer rain is not looking good. We could be in a seriously bad situation by the end of the season,” Ward said.
– Caxton News Service
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