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File photo (April 2022)
Nelson Mandela Bay's main supply dams are expected to rise a few % and delay the onset of day zero after some excellent rainfalls in the main catchment area in the Langkloof.
Local weather office spokesperson Garth Sampson says between 23 mm and 37 mm was measured at the various weather stations in the Langkloof up until 08h00 on Friday.
Sampson says Avontuur at 20 mm, De Hoop Uniondale (Bo Kouga) at 18mm and Joubertina at 32 mm all flow to the Kouga Dam, which itself measured 37 mm.
The 27.8 mm received at Kareedouw flows to the Churchill Dam and then onto the Impofu if it overflows.
Sampson says falls in excess of 20 mm were recorded at Willowmore and Cambria which is an indication of what is happening in the Baviaans, part of which flows into the Kouga.
Stuurmanskraal, in the heart of the Kouga, had already received 32 mm by Thursday night.
"We will only know the influence on dam levels on Monday when water has flowed into the dams from the upper catchment but I am certainly hoping for a few % rise, which will push out day zero," said Sampson.
He cautioned, however, that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and surrounds are not out of the woods yet, but have at least been given some breathing space to keep day zero (when the taps run dry) at bay.
"Our weather models show more rain until early Saturday morning and then it looks dry for the next 10 days," said Sampson.
In the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro itself, 30.6 mm was measured at the airport and 27.4 mm at 3rd avenue dip in Newton Park up until 08h00 on Friday.
Chetty received 31 mm, Kariega 22.4 mm and Woodridge 35.2 mm.
There were also some excellent falls further inland with Addo measuring 28.6 mm, Cradock 35 mm, Graaff Reinet 24.4 mm, Makhanda 32.6 mm, Fort Beaufort 40.2 mm and Bhisho 34.6 mm.
Elsewhere along the coast, Cape St Francis and East London both received in the region of 37 mm, Plettenberg Bay 16 mm and Port Alfred 20 mm.
More rain is expected in large parts of the Province on Friday with a level 5 warning issued in several local municipalities.
