The George Municipality approved a request to be classified as a Local Disaster Area, due to severe water challenges and the current drought conditions.
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre, is expected to assess the area in this light.
The municipality’s Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, said the Garden Route Dam, which is the main source for the town, was at 44.77% on 26 January 2026, compared to 87.87% last year.
Haarlem Dam, supplying Haarlem and Uniondale, was at 24.00% compared to 85,42% last year.
Uniondale’s supply from the Kammanassie River is also severely depleted, with limited groundwater available.
The area is affected by both hydro-meteorological drought (reducing dam, river, and groundwater levels) and agricultural drought, which impacts soil moisture, crops, and farming activities.
Level 2D water restrictions and Level 3 emergency tariffs are in effect, to reduce consumption and support additional operational costs.
Picture: Supplied