Despite heatwave conditions in some parts of the country, forecasts have shown above-normal rainfall for the summer rainfall areas and cooler temperatures over large parts of the country. La Nina typically means wetter weather and higher temperatures. La Nina (Spanish for ‘the girl”) and El Nino (the boy) are the cool and warm phases of a predictable ocean-atmosphere interaction that is referred to as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The pattern shifts back and forth every two to seven years. After a somewhat delayed start to the rainfall season, November to January will record above-normal rainfall.
Floods and high temperatures have wreaked havoc across South Africa over the past two weeks. On Friday 11th November 2022, Mahikeng Local Municipality issued a public notice regarding tempestuous weather conditions and cautioned residents to keep high alert and humbly requested motorists to avoid flooded areas. The Municipal Disaster Management Team was on standby. Ngaka Modiri Molema Executive Mayor, Khumalo Molefe visited schools and residential areas in Verdwaal on Monday the 14th of November 2022 to assess the damage caused by the recent downpours.
The Hartebeespoortdam had opened all it sluices gates by Saturday morning and local residents flocked to the dam wall to witness the water gushing through the gates. The dam overflowed earlier this year, and the DWS issued a warning to residents who live downstream to be cautious as water levels continue to rise.
Farmers around the North West province were grateful to receive the rain but heavy rains have caused flooding of crops and nearby residences. Some challenges noted by farmer Daan van der Merwe from Groot Marico is that the wheat farmers are losing quality and also face the possibility of losing their entire harvest.
Other farmers struggle with no maintenance of road infrastructure which makes it impossible to travel. Another concerning fact is that ninety percent of South African dams are non-compliant with safety standards which could result in catastrophic circumstances. The Department of Water and Sanitation presented information to Parliament which shows that only 2 of the 20 large dams owned by the Department comply with safety requirements.
Professor Anthony Turton, an expert on Environmental Management said in order to rectify this, we must use technically competent people as this is a national concern. “It’s all about maintaining infrastructure, a dam is something that will be there for centuries if we manage it correctly.”
