A DELUGE of rain that poured down at the weekend caused mayhem in Toti as roads flooded and trees uprooted.
The SA Weather Service estimated 148 millimetres of rain fell in Toti on Saturday and Sunday, a massive difference compared to the usual 50 millimetres expected at this time of the year.
Flooding occurred in Isipingo, Umlazi, Chatsworth, Resevoir Hills and Seacow Lake. The M4 by the Jacobs Road off-ramp was closed to traffic on Sunday. Informal settlements were flooded and others were under threat of flooding due to rising waters. Some stormwater drains were unable to cope with the increased flow, which resulted in streets being under water in Toti and surrounds.
However, water restrictions are set to continue as the rainfall deficit remains, despite the weekend’s downpour. There has not been a significant increase in dam levels to end to the drought in the province.
According to the Umgeni Water Board the rain was localised to coastal areas, leaving major catchments dry, among them Upper Mgeni. The Hazelmere system received 100mm in the 72 hours from Friday to Sunday, 6 to 8 May, raising the water level by 1% to 44.6% capacity. The Upper Mgeni system recorded 24mm of rain in the same period and the Lower Mgeni system had 114mm. Umzinto had 144mm rainfall and there was 124mm in the Durban South area.
The Umgeni Water Board added that predictions by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research are that the pattern of below average rainfall is expected to continue until the end of 2016.
According to ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge, this was the most rain to fall in Toti in a 24-hour period since 1971.
“An estimated 100 cubic metres of waste washed onto our beaches and it continues to arrive on a southern current,” said Cllr Beetge. Beaches were closed on Monday due to the amount of debris in the water and on shore and will likely remain closed until the weekend.
“That is because the debris needs to be dispersed by a limited number of municipal employees who remain starved for resources by their political masters,”
said Cllr Beetge. “Political infighting, jobs for pals and awarding of tenders beyond capability has resulted in a shortage of vehicles, refuse bags, staff and other resources required to address what should be classified a disaster, because although rubbish washes out along the beaches, much of it remains in the ocean where it threatens marine life and ecosystems.”
Following an inspection from Isipingo to Umkomaas on Monday morning, 9 May, beach management prioritised bathing beaches, starting with Inyoni Rocks main beach south towards Winklespruit and Illovo as their point of departure with cleaning non-bathing beaches from Dakota thereafter.
“Residents will note that while some of the rubbish has been removed, staff are also piling and sorting organic and non-organic matter above the high water mark for later disposal and to alleviate rubbish being pulled into the sea at high tide.”
While organic matter can be used in dune rehabilitation, residents are encouraged to assist in the removal of plastics and other articles to recycling institutions or landfill sites.
“This disaster is not something we can just leave up to the officials to address – it impacts each of our lives, our town and our environment and while I applaud local management for their initiative, we should all assist by putting our weight behind organisations such as Toti Conservancy, thereby ensuring the situation gets back to normal as quickly as possible.
Let’s make this Saturday, 14 May Toti beach clean-up day. Everybody meet at the beach at 8am and let’s join hands to clean our beaches,” said Cllr Beetge.
