KZN to roll out drought emergency plan
The provincial department said approximately R97-million has been set aside for the short term drought intervention in the province.
THE Department of Water and Sanitation in KwaZulu-Natal is set to roll out an Emergency Drought Mitigation Plan in areas affected by drought in the province.
The department said that currently, 256 towns and surrounding communities are reported to be affected by drought in the province.
The identified hotspot areas include Uthukela, Umzinyathi, Amajuba, Zululand, Uthungulu and Umgungundlovu.
The provincial department said approximately R97-million has been set aside for the short term drought intervention in the province.
In other news: Heavy rains improve dam levels
Some of the short-term interventions to be implemented will include putting in place drought operating rules, groundwater resource development, water tankering from available sources, rainwater harvesting and the protection and use of springs, amongst others.
“The department has already begun providing the necessary support to communities affected through various action programmes. The new borehole programme has identified 1 118 new boreholes, 3 000 water tanks have been made available to provide water to affected communities and there is ongoing assessment for the refurbishment of boreholes,” the department said.
Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has since called on locals to enhance water conservation measures as the provincial dam storage capacity remains below average at 54.9 per cent.
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