Drought looms as El Nino develops
Cllr de Kock urges Vryheiders to conserve water now to ensure that the municipality will be able to continue to supply water even if El Nino results in a dry summer.
THE possibility that Vryheid may face another drought looms as meteorologists predict an El Nino occurring.
An El Nino occurs when temperatures in the Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, which results summer rainfall areas experiencing extremely hot and dry weather with little to no rain.
El Nino has been linked to the devastating drought that emptied Vryheid’s dams leaving taps dry for 14 months in 2016/2017.
“Vryheid is bekend met water skaarste, droogte, gebarsde waterpype, en gesteelde water meters. In ‘n koerant was ‘n artikel wat waarsku oor ‘n moontlike El Nino, wat dui of laer reenvalsyfers, in die tweede deel van die komende somer. Die temperature oor stille oseane dui daarop en die Suid-Afrikaanse Weerdiens en Internasianale Navorsings Instituut het dit bevestig dat ‘n moontlike droogtyd vir ons voorlê,” warns AbaQulusi ward councilor, Alta de Kock.
Cobus Olivier, a prediction scientist at South African Weather Services (SAWS), confirmed that an El Nino is likely to occur, but says it is too early to determine what its impact will be.
“If El Nino does occur, it doesn’t mean it will affect us. Most of them do, but not all of them affect us. If it does affect us, summer rainfall areas will be dry and warm and the effects are likely to last over spring and the entire summer. Sometimes, the effects of El Nino can last for up to two years,” said Mr Olivier.
“Just be alert that there is an El Nino coming and keep monitoring the forecasts. In September, we will have the forecast ready for spring and summer and we will have a better idea of how El Nino will affect us. At this stage, it is still hard to tell.”
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While Vryheid’s dams are currently more than 90% full, Cllr de Kock urges Vryheiders to conserve water now to ensure that the municipality will be able to continue to supply water even if El Nino results in a dry summer.
“We have to look after our water resources. Phone LinkUp on 034 980 8872 immediately if you see a leakage or a burst pipe,” pleads Cllr de Kock. “We have been through a drought. We know the effect it has had on the community. Please, let’s work together. Store rainwater in your Jojo tanks and be prepared.”
“Vryheid is a champion when it comes to surviving during a difficult time without water. Let us use the knowledge we gained during the drought to make sure we are rather safe than sorry, so that we don’t find ourselves in that terrible situation again,” concluded Cllr de Kock.
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