Over the past few weeks, the incessant rain surpassed the 122-year record for April rain.
The rain also brought with it tragedy when a 14-year-old boy drowned in the full-to-capacity Donald McHardy Dam on Saturday. Witnesses said he went into the water and started experiencing difficulties. Panicking, a younger sibling called for help from nearby fishermen. Attempts were made to resuscitate the boy, and a doctor was called out. Tragically, the boy was declared dead shortly afterwards.

The dam was also the scene of the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz that had been submerged in the waters the previous week. No one was injured in this incident. After a week, a diver was brought in to hook the car, which was pulled out by a recovery team.

Doug Gordon, a specialist advisor with the Department of KZN Agriculture, says the 1903 record of 155 mm was eclipsed and over 180 mm have been recorded in April.

While the wet summer may have pleased many, with the rivers and dams in full force, the weather has caused chaos on the roads, with the R33 at Cotswold between Dundee and Vryheid constantly under water and the Mpati stream in flood.

The Buffalo River at De Jager’s Drift on the R33 was also lapping onto the road surface, adding to the dangers faced by motorists on a road that has been falling apart for the past three years. Gordon said farmers have been in a dilemma, as they are not able to get into their waterlogged lands.

“Hay-making operations are at a standstill. The soya bean crop is also problematic, as it cannot be harvested. The maize crop, which is also due for harvesting, cannot be accessed, and fears are that the pips may start germinating on the cob. The wet conditions have also increased the chances of fungus growth. Predictions are that the area will this year only be able to produce C-grade maize.”
Andrew Adams of the Dundee District Farmers Union told the Courier that the maize crop is fairly resilient and hopes the crop to stand until at least September if the root can hold it up.

“Soybeans, on the other hand, present more of a challenge. Though slightly more delicate, they too can afford a bit more time in the fields, at least for now. There is a consensus on what’s needed next: warm, dry weather.”

Economy facing a double-whammy
Johan du Plessis, who farms in the Wasbank area, agreed that the heavy rains are having a huge impact on farmers, with maize and soya under threat.
“The soya crop is about to be harvested, but the guys cannot get into their fields – same with maize. It’s not only KZN that has been affected, but the central parts of the country too. While the rain is good for the veld and cattle farmers, they too are being affected by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak – so farming is having it bad.”

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