GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - The latest five-month weather forecast issued by the South African Weather Service (Saws), does not bode well for the rain-starved Garden Route District.
Saws says below-normal rainfall is likely from September to January 2026 while above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures are expected.
With the exception of lower maximum temperatures expected in September, the Garden Route Municipal District is set to experience warmer than usual conditions with limited rainfall during spring and early summer.
On 1 September the level of the Garden Route Dam in George stood at 74,02% as it continued to drop due to the lack of rain.
From 26 August to 1 September, only 1,1mm fell in George and during the week before that, zero, with a similar dismal lack of rain experienced in other towns in the district.
A 30% chance of light rain is predicted for George, Mossel Bay, Riversdale, Stilbaai, Knysna and Plett this coming Friday, Sunday and Monday, with even a few drops expected to fall in Oudtshoorn next Monday, but that leaves us with a 70% chance that it won't.
Water restrictions that came into effect on 1 May 2024, still apply in George, leaving many gardens thirsty and gardeners - whose self-installed tanks have run dry - watering their plants with a handheld bucket or with a handheld hose within specified time frames.
Even if it rains just a little over the coming weekend and early next week, water tanks at homes connected to efficient downpipes from roofs should fill up somewhat, giving gardeners a bit of breathing space.
While the Garden Route is caught in a dry spell, most of the north-central-east regions of the country are expected to receive above-normal rainfall during the next five months.
Drought information from the National Integrated Water Information System (NIWIS) indicate that a number of settlements in the Eastern Cape, eastern part of the Western Cape and Mpumalanga are experiencing moderate drought conditions.
Residents of the Garden Route and other dry parts of South Africa can only hope that the rain ritual performed by our very own Rain Queen, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina at the recent national dialogue in Pretoria and the water investment summit in Cape Town, pays off.
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