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The first seven months of 2012 were by far the wettest on record, with 695 mm measured up to the end of July, the Safety and Security Directorate says in a report to the Safety and Security Committee that meets on Friday.
The previous record was in 1979 when 673mm was recorded.
The report from acting executive director Shane Brown says that by August 12, when the report was compiled, the total rainfall had increased to 735mm.
The report points out that with the wettest months still to come, "we are fast approaching the wettest year in more than 30 years,” which was in 1981 when 1 010mm was measured."
Brown reports that the heavy rains in July caused R6.6 million in damage to
municipal infrastructure, which includes R2.5 million for the failure of the bulk water supply pipeline at Van Stadens that affected at least half of the Metro.
Damage to cemetery roads amounted to a further R2.25 million, while damage to underground cables and overhead power lines was put at just under R1.2 million.
Damage to boardwalks at Summerstrand, Humewood and Maitlands and soil erosion to the caravan and braai areas at the Van Stadens Resort was R670 000.
In addition, there was no provision for the overtime involved as a result.
Despite the damage, Brown does not advocate the "declaration of a local state of disaster," pointing out that Nelson Mandela Bay is a developmental zone and a declaration will raise concerns for investors.
"A declaration will indicate that the Metro does not have sufficient resilience."
He adds that the municipality was declared a disaster area in 2010 as a result of the prolonged drought.
To declare the municipality a local disaster area would require a resolution of Council and a detailed assessment report being submitted to both the provincial and national disaster management centres.
A declaration, Brown adds, will only become effective when the municipality cannot cope.
He suggests that rather that declaring a disaster, the Metro should consider submitting an application for Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funding for the repairs to the infrastructure damage.
(Source: Metro Minute - to subscribe mail metminutes@iafrica.com)
