EASTERN CAPE – Residents of the Kouga and Kou-Kamma regions are being urged to prepare for severe weather after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) upgraded its warning from a Level 5 to a Level 8 warning for disruptive rain expected from 3 June to 4 June.
The warning, valid from 10:00 on 3 June until 23:59 on 4 June, includes the Kouga and Kou-Kamma local municipalities, as well as Nelson Mandela Bay and Sundays River Valley.
According to SAWS, a cut-off low pressure system is expected to result in showers and thundershowers across parts of the province.
“Undercutting conditions are expected to bring heavy downpours along the coast and adjacent interior areas, particularly along the Eastern Cape South Coast, where rainfall totals of between 100 mm and 150 mm are forecast,” SAWS said.
SAWS further warned that the rainfall could lead to widespread flooding of formal and informal settlements, roads, low-lying areas and bridges.
Additional impacts could include damage to infrastructure, dangerous driving conditions due to slippery roads and reduced visibility, mudslides and rockfalls, as well as prolonged disruptions that could leave communities cut off.
SAWS advised residents to listen to regular weather updates via radio and social media, postpone travel arrangements until conditions improve, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams, and identify safe areas to store valuable items should flooding occur.
Meanwhile, the Gamtoos Water Users’ Association, the management agent for the Kouga Dam, said considerable rainfall had been predicted for the catchment area during the coming week.
The association noted that the logger at Stuurmanskraal, a water level monitoring system, is currently not working and that the Department of Water and Sanitation is attempting to resolve the issue.
However, the instruments need to be replaced and there is uncertainty regarding the functionality of the entire structure.
“The water levels can currently only be read at the Kouga Dam wall, which will be used to report water levels and assist in understanding what may happen downstream in the system,” the association said.
The association further stated that when water levels begin to rise, updates will be provided via the relevant water groups on an hourly basis.
“Predicting the exact volume and impact of water levels remains complicated, as it depends on the amount of rainfall received and where it falls within the catchment,” the association said.
Regarding the Beervlei Dam, the association said the sluice gates had been closed, with one gate opened on 1 June.
“This is expected to influence water levels in the Groot Rivier, although the released volume is relatively low at 6.5 cumec, which is equal to the volume of the main canal flowing at maximum capacity,” the association said.
The association said the volume should be depleted by the time it reaches the Condomo monitoring system.
The association has further indicated that should water levels begin to rise, updates will be communicated on an hourly basis to relevant stakeholder groups, including the Kouga Municipality, local councillors, school principals and residents, amongst others.
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