It never rains, it pours
The welcome rain that George received since Monday evening did not bring joy to all residents. Vast areas of Thembalethu and surrounding informal settlements were flooded where some Georgians stood ankle-deep in water in their homes. The highest rainfall was recorded in Waboomskraal.
Although the Eden Disaster Management Centre did not receive any reports of flooding during heavy rains on Tuesday and Wednesday, lowlying areas and informal settlements were significantly affected.
Zolani Sinxo, editor of Idinga, reported that streets, gardens and some homes were flooded in Thembalethu and it was a struggle to get to school and work.
Eden disaster chief Gerhard Otto said 38mm was measured at Witfontein from Tuesday till early Wednesday morning. He said the highest rainfall for this period was recorded in Waboomskraal where 75mm was measured.
George Municipality recorded a total of 41mm at the waterworks from Wednesday 6 November till yesterday morning, 13 November.
Municipal communications head Chantel Edwards-Klose said the Garden Route Dam spillway construction will go ahead unhindered. The level of the dam must be kept at a maximum of 70% for the work to carry on. Up until yesterday afternoon when the newspaper went to press, it was not necessary to let out any water.
Further from the mountain to the west of George, much less rain was recorded. Farmer George Kuyler of Skimmelkrans Farm was, however, grateful for the 14mm that he measured. "It is very dry, so we are overjoyed." Skimmelkrans uses water from the Gwaiing River for irrigation. It is the only perennial river in the area, but Kuyler estimates that currently about 90% of its water is recycled water originating from the municipality's sewage works.
The South African Weather Service is predicting a moderate chance of light rain for the rest of the week in George.