Buffalo River roars again but water restrictions still in place

The once dry Buffalo River is pumping again. The river which featured so prominently 138 years ago during the Anglo Zulu War battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift is again back to virtually full strength following good rains.
The river, that just a over a month ago, was just down to almost a trickle, is well over the Tayside weir, from where Endumeni’s water supply is pumped to the Biggarsberg Water Works. The Buffalo is also roaring at the Nquthu bridge and at the low level bridge between Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana.

A short sharp, shower on Friday night saw falls of up to 37 mm at De Jager’s Drift, 22 mm on the Helpmekaar road, Wasbank 32 mm, Research Station farm area 30mm.
However, on Friday Nomonde Nzimakhwe of the Umzinyathi District Municipality warned resident that despite the good rains – which are about average for January in any event – water restrictions will continue with water cuts during the day affecting the high-lying areas.
“We cannot recover from nearly two years of drought simply by having some good rains which we are very grateful for. The dams supplying the area are still a worry although Tom Worthington dam is looking good. Residents need to be patient. Our area is reliant on a small catchment area and we must please continue to conserve water and respect that it is a scarce commodity,” she said.