Water flows into Theewaterskloof dam, June 2018. (Ian van den Berg / Reenval SA / Twitter)
Water flows into Theewaterskloof dam, June 2018. (Ian van den Berg / Reenval SA / Twitter)
The Cape is onto a winner this winter. The rainfall has been copious, and it has gone where it’s needed. Theewaterskloof dam will certainly testify to that.
As shared by ReenvalSA, even more relief has come to the Villiersdorp facility.
The parched water reserve has been something of a “poster image” for Cape Town’s day zero crisis. For most of the last 12 months, weekly updates showed water ebbing out of the dam, leaving locals to face a horrifying reality.
However, Cape Town slashed its consumption rates and the seasonal downpours arrived in bombastic fashion. Over the last few weeks, dam water levels have increased by around 12% – that was before torrential storms throughout Thursday.
It seems as if Theewaterskloof can expect another rise itself this week. Footage has been shared on social media of water streaming through the dam in droves.
Watch water flowing into Theewaterskloof dam here:
Water oppad #Theewaterskloofdam toe van #Riviersonderend 78mm op plaas in #Vyeboom gemeet ???? Ian van den Berg @SAWeatherServic @venter_annette @AfricaWeather_ @maroelamedia @AgriSAOfficial @debeer_anika @landbou @zarsg @huisgenoot @JoelGuy_ @dieCourant @OnsKontrei pic.twitter.com/BXiglskeF4
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) June 14, 2018
#Theewaterskloof inloop by #Vyeboom ???? Deon Bruintjies @SAWeatherServic @venter_annette @AfricaWeather_ @maroelamedia @AgriSAOfficial @debeer_anika @landbou @AgriWesKaap @JoelGuy_ @huisgenoot @zarsg @SARIETydskrif @SnowReportSA @dieCourant @OnsKontrei @TygerBurger pic.twitter.com/nQBEBMAOht
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) June 14, 2018
Is the rainfall filling up the dams?
How about that, eh? It was forecast that around 50mm would drench the region during Thursday, but some reports suggest that the figure could have topped 70mm.
Though the threat of day zero remains a very clear and present danger, you can chalk this up as another small victory for the Cape. Dam levels rose to 32% of their capacity this week, but that still means 68% of it is empty.
No matter how hypnotic these videos may be, level 6b water restrictions are still in place for Cape Town. It’s been good work from the locals so far, but only continued water conservation can save the city from going dry.
Typical, really. Just as the water crisis ends, we’re plunged back into an electrical one.
