Dam levels, farming in for boost as above-average rain predicted
Pretoria farmers are also opportunistic about the rainy season to contribute positively to the harvest season.
Above-average rainfall has been predicted for this season, which would boost the farming sector and dams levels.
This year’s rain season looks promising and comes at a much-needed time as dams across the province have been hit by high, dry temperatures leading to levels plummeting.
CSIR senior researcher on holistic climate change impact Dr Asmerom F Beraki said the region may expect good rainfall conditions this season.
The summer rainfall region of South Africa, which also included Pretoria, has seen good rains since the start of October, improving prospects for a wet season.
“According to prevailing indications and climate model predictions, it is highly likely the region will see a new hope presumably capable of breaking the regional drought,” Beraki said.
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“So the looming humid seasons ahead may increase the prospect of recharging water resources… particularly improving dam levels and boosting agricultural production.”
He said this owed to many climate factors, including but not limited to the development of the La Niña phase this year, which was one of the many reasons.
Beraki said the early start of the rainy season would also benefit maize producing farmers.
“I think it is highly likely the expected good rainy season would at least recover the agriculture sector and improve the state of food security at least for the 2020/21 production cycle.”
Beraki cautioned Pretoria residents that the coming wet months could also bring extreme climate conditions like flash floods and recurring thunderstorms with lighting activities.
On Sunday, 80% chance of rain was predicted for Pretoria which saw the SA Weather Service issue a warning of possible localised floods in susceptible roads and low-lying areas.
In 2019, Mamelodi experienced flooding during the rainy season and saw more than a hundred people homeless.
Pretoria small farmers have started ploughing following the start of the rain season.
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“Many farmers in our area have started to plough and will plant from today, [Monday, 12 October],” said Pure Organics Little Farm’s Pieter Kemp.
“We are very optimistic about this year’s rain. If it rains as well as we hope it would, it will boost our little farm tremendously because we will be able to supply both non-genetically modified organism sweet corn and non-GMO dry feed for our free-range chickens.”
Department of water and sanitation spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said they were hoping for a constant amount of rains as the province’s rain season starts.
Ratau said although October was not associated with a significant amount of rains constant rains were expected.
There has been an alarming drop in dam levels, especially the major supplier, Vaal Dam, causing many local municipalities, including Tshwane metro to enforce water restrictions.
“The month marks the start of the rainy season and we are expecting good showers this month. It will come in handy at some of our catchment areas. We are expecting a significant amount of rain towards the end of the year, however, hoping it will not cause floods because that results in a lot of damage,”’ he said.
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