No real rain until the end of the year – SA Weather Service

Amid concerns about falling dam levels, the SA Weather Service says the dry season will persist with no rain until the end of the year.

The department of water and sanitation urged Gauteng residents not to panic, despite the Vaal Dam standing below 50%.

Weather forecaster Vanetia Phakula said the dry season was expected to continue with rain only expected in December and January. While there were expected intermittent showers, they would not be of any significance.

“Although we normally get our rainfall season now, we are in the neutral phase of the southern oscillation so, during December and January, we may experience normal to above-normal rain,” said Phakula.

The City of Joburg on Monday tweeted that the Vaal Dam level had dropped to 49.64% for the first time “in nearly three years”.

Department of water spokesperson Sputnik Ratau confirmed the receding level, but said there was no reason for alarm yet.

“The Vaal Dam is one of 14 dams within the integrated Vaal River system. The fact that the dam is low does not mean the water system is collapsing.

“We are experiencing low dam levels because of the high temperatures that have impacted the evaporation rate. The rains are also late and because of the high temperatures, water consumption has increased.

“We urge people to use water conservatively not only now, but to see it as a way of life because South Africa is a water-scarce country,” said Ratau. “Things are bound to get worse if we don’t change the way we use water.”

Adam Gunn, chief executive of water and environmental company GCS, said South Africa experienced severe drought.

“The Vaal Dam is a major feeder of water in Gauteng but there is a lack of investment in infrastructure and management,” said Gunn.

“With not many other alternative sources for water, this is a lethal combination.

“While there is a need for people to change their use of water, there also needs to be action driven by the government themselves to regulate the way water is managed.

“If the climate change model for SA, which includes less rain, is accurate, and there is not much action being done now, we will probably not be ready for it when it happens.”

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