KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna received a welcome bout of rainfall on Wednesday 15 January, offering temporary relief to a town under level 4 water restrictions amid a deepening water crisis.
After weeks of dry conditions and mounting pressure on local dams, the rain was met with cautious optimism by residents and officials.
While the rainfall does not signal an immediate end to the crisis, it lifted community morale, with residents actively measuring rainfall in their neighbourhoods.
Reports shared throughout the day highlighted significant variations across the area. A resident on Thesen Island recorded 26mm of rain, while higher totals of 50mm were measured in both Belvidere and Blaricum, close to the Akkerhof Dam.
Despite the encouraging figures, Knysna Mayor Thando Matika warned that the situation remains critical. He confirmed that the town’s water capacity storage dam is currently at just 15%, equating to about 10 days of water supply, with Knysna’s main water source presently dry.
In response, humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has mobilised urgent assistance. Twelve water tanks, sponsored by Africa Tanks, have been loaded at the organisation’s Pietermaritzburg headquarters and are being transported to Knysna to support the town ahead of a potential Day Zero.
Residents are urged to continue adhering strictly to Level 4 water restrictions as authorities stress that sustained rainfall is essential to stabilise the water supply.
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