The heavy downpour in the Kouga region, which began on May 12, has brought much excitement to the community as the Kouga Dam has increased to 15.74 percent, with the hope of further increases in the water levels as water continues to flow into the dam.
According to Rienette Colesky, CEO of Gamtoos Irrigation Board, the excitement which was brought on by the heavy rain can be felt throughout the community of Kouga. She said that the heaviest downpour occurred on May 13, which has filled the Valley Basin below the Kouga Dam.
Colesky further said that the Loerie Dam also started overflowing on May 16. In anticipation of their annual water restriction negotiations with the Department of Water and Sanitation, and various other stakeholders, which will be held in June this year, she said that they are hopeful that the water levels will continue to rise.
“The dam water levels measured on June 1 will determine the restrictions for agriculture and domestic use,” said Colesky.
She said that after the water restriction negotiations were held last year, the agriculture sector was restricted to an 80 percent water allocation while domestic usage was restricted to 65 percent.
“We expect the restrictions to stay the same, or to be less severe,” said Colesky. “We are therefore looking forward to more rain that is expected later this week and more regular rain in the next few months.”
Despite the slight sigh of relief that the heavy rain has brought, Kouga Municipality received reports of scattered incidents ranging from flooding in some housing areas and blocked stormwater infrastructure where heavy rainfall was experienced.
Kouga executive mayor, Horatio Hendricks, said that as a result of the heavy downpour, there is water pooled in some streets in areas such as Kwanomzamo, the Golf Course, Kruisfontein, Maak ’n las, 7de Laan, Donker Hoek, Mooiuitsig, Hapeville and Vaal Dam.
“Dispatching of suction trucks is ongoing to assist. However, the situation is moving towards normality,” said Hendricks. He further said that certain areas that have been flooded in Hankey have not been resolved. “Response teams from Technical Services and Fire and the Disaster Management Department are still working on the plan to alleviate flooding problems.”
