The Amathole District Municipality is currently putting the final touches to a “rapid response plan” to address the effects of the drought.
The ADM said it met key stakeholders on Tuesday as they sought “practical but sustainable response measures with which to mitigate the impact of drought in Butterworth and other parts of the district.”
The meeting will continued on Wednesday to conclude the finer detail of the “rapid response plan”, its time frames and a process to be followed in releasing drought relief funding, said ADM spokesperson Siyabulela Makunga.
“This crucial multi-stakeholder engagement was necessitated by the resilient and severe drought which resulted in Butterworth, Adelaide and Bedford running out of water completely.”
“Water tankers have already begun carting water to all affected areas. Currently, ADM is carting water to Msobomvu, Gcuwa and Ibika, using 7 water tankers,” Makunga said.
He said this temporary arrangement is expected to continue for at least fourteen (14) days. Butterworth prison and the hospital still have little water which is likely to run out on Wednesday whilst WSU has water supply through an active borehole.
“Since April 2014, ADM Council has declared the district a “disaster area” at least five (5) times. Assistance from national and provincial government proved to be not adequate enough to provide sustainable and lasting relief to resistant drought,” Makunga said.
The Amatole District Municipality has once more urged communities to use the limited amount of water left as sparingly as possible.
