Parched Zululand must now pray for rain

THE worsening drought situation in vast areas of Zululand reached catastrophic proportions this week with residents in most northern towns resorting to bathing in swimming pools and boiling pool water to wash dishes and clothes.

Water is the scarcest commodity in our developing country and its undeniable worth in this current scenario has been valued higher than ever before.

Various municipalities in Zululand have taken drastic action to impose restrictions and measures to effectively manage water supply and demand.

Water levels at the Hlazi and Rutledge dams have reached alarmingly low levels, and for now rain is the only solution.

Lake Mzingazi levels are at its lowest since the 1970s, with the latest reading recorded last weekend showing only a 26.7% capacity.

There is no doubt that we are in a crisis. But the question is what were authorities doing all this time and why have they waited so long to act?

No preventative measures were implemented earlier and pumping of water to replenish dam levels should have begun a long time ago.

Could we not have foreseen this crisis gauging from the many articles published on water woes throughout the region during the past few years?

Instead, the complacent attitude has now resulted in crisis management.

Water challenges affect every sector, from the ordinary man on the street to health and education services, small and big business, tourism and the economy at large.

The tourism hub of St Lucia has been the hardest hit with tourism establishments relying heavily on water tanks.

Other game reserve resorts in Ntambanana and surrounding areas have opted to purchase water via tankers to cater for international tourists. The water shortage is stunting foreign investment and economic growth opportunities for the region.

However, blame can also be laid on the public who continually waste water and the ongoing criminal element necessitating huge sums of money to be spent to replace stolen pumps and pipes.

Described as the worst drought in years, rain forecasts for the weekend is hopefully a precursor to a traditional wet summer.

And as with every such situation when human effort fails, we turn to God.

We now pray for rain.