WEATHER GURU | Mopping up operations put on hold as heavy rains return to Eastern Cape

Just when everybody thought it was safe to go back in the water, excuse the pun, disaster is once again on our doorstep. At the time of starting this week’s column, all media was abuzz with severe weather warnings about another cut-off low passing over our area, bringing with it another spell of heavy rains. The models were not wrong and by 8am on Thursday, the Garden Route through to Thornhill had already recorded between 100 and 150mm-plus in some areas.

Figures in our metro varied between 60 and 100mm-plus over the western areas and well over 100mm in the Kariega area. With dams overflowing, rivers still swollen and many areas still inundated with water, any rain whatsoever will cause problems for many still recovering from the May event. As the Beervlei flood control dam (for the Groot River) is sitting at 98%, and with the Kouga Dam at 100% plus, it is no wonder that I have been swamped as to my opinion regarding what might materialise over the next week.

As feared, not long after the rains started, by Wednesday evening orders were given to evacuate the lower reaches of the Gamtoos River. I think we are all holding thumbs that the Gamtoos Ferry Hotel is not flooded again, as they were still struggling with mop-up operations before the rains came. The eastern side of the Baviaanskloof at Cambria has suffered seriously.

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As one local put it, there is nothing more to be washed away at Bruintjieskraal — it has already been washed away. Then we have the often forgotten Groendal Dam just outside Kariega, which is also full. Any rain falling in its catchment will directly affect the entire Swartkops valley area, as well as Kariega itself. The Kruis river’s level started rising almost immediately as the rains began and numerous low-lying areas around the Kruis, Elands and Swartkops started to experience flooding.

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