Wet weather hailed as answer to prayers
NEWS from the South African Weather Service that Durban residents should expect more rain this week is being hailed as answered prayers.
If there is enough rain, it is expected to raise water levels and help ease the province’s current water crisis.
South African Weather Service forecaster in KwaZuluNatal, Thandiwe Gumede, said no heatwave was expected in the province this week, but residents could expect a heavy downpour.
Gumede said there was a 60 percent chance of rain over the next seven days.
“Temperatures will stay in the 20s and it will be partly cloudy to cloudy,” she said.
While this is good news for Durbanites, other parts of the country still face a water crisis.
National weather forecaster Kgoloselo Mahlangu said the Western Cape was still experiencing very hot weather, with temperatures soaring up to 32ºC this weekend. She said the heatwave was expected to end tomorrow.
“No other province will be severely affected by the heatwave, although we will monitor the forecast during the week to see if there are any changes.”
Africa News Agency reported yesterday that nine people had died of heatstroke in the North West.
Spokesman for the provincial health department, Tebogo Lekgethwane, said according to a Mahikeng Provincial Hospital report, five people were certified dead on arrival, three died in casualty on Thursday, and one died on Friday.
People had taken to social media to spread awareness of saving water and keeping hydrated during the heatwave.
One such campaign is Water Shortage South Africa, which has more than 17 000 members on Facebook. The campaign was founded to help collect water to distribute to parts of the country in need.
Volunteers have set up networks within towns, cities and villages to help donate, collect, and transport water to disaster areas.
People can get involved by creating awareness on their Facebook page, filling empty bottles to drop off at the nearest donation station or by volunteering their time.
Drop-off stations are to be found at 30 Hibiscus in Empangeni, Engen Toyota Garage in Newcastle and Raedant in Pinetown.
Meanwhile, nutritionists and dieticians are urging people to keep themselves and their pets hydrated during hot weather.
Veni Maharaj of Dietwise said: “Everyone should remain hydrated at all times. Children, the elderly and those with health conditions face the highest risk as they battle to maintain their body temperature.
“Those who are travelling should try to have drinks that have electrolytes in them such as sports drinks, but they should steer clear of fizzy drinks, alcohol and caffeine,” she added.