Some parts of the drought-stricken Eastern Cape, are celebrating the effects of recent rains on dam levels.
The Gamtoos Irrigation Board celebrated the full Kouga dam, now at over 90%. The area received over 72mm of rain.
The dam hovered around the 70% mark before the rains.
The dam has not overflowed in 8 years.
Rienette Colesky, CEO of Gamtoos Irrigation Board, said that the Kouga Dam has only spilled over 33 times since 1971 with the dam last reaching 100 percent in 2015.
Since then, the Kouga Dam levels have never reached full capacity.
On the September 22, the South African Weather Services (SAWS) issued an alert for heavy rains predicting an estimated 333mm of rain for Krakeel Hoekstra, Tamie 185mm, Krakeel 206mm, and Joubertina 125mm.
She said water restrictions imposed because dam levels were at 65% full, are usually lifted, and agriculture could receive the full water quota.
Colesky said that the farmers in the region are incredibly thankful and humbled by the recent increase in dam levels.
On Wednesday, expert meteriologist from the Agricultural Research Council, confirmed South Africa is partly in an El Niño cycle.
He said the Western interior parts of the country, are not expected to experience negative rainfall as compared to the Eastern parts.
Professor Sylvester Mpandeli from the Water Research Commission, told a business breakfast online organized by Earthnews365 and supported by the LandBank, that the country is expected to have 1,7% less water by 2030.
Picture: JJ du Perez, 29 September 2023, courtesy : Gamtoos Irrigation Board