Photo: Ventusky
Photo: Ventusky
Whoever has been doing a rain-dance in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, you can give yourself a pat on the back: The latest projections from weather forecasting experts Ventusky reveal that an intense wave of rainfall is set to reach Gqeberha, which is facing a ‘Day Zero’ crisis.
Gqeberha set for ‘significant’ rainfall this week
The biggest city in the Eastern Cape – and one of the largest metros in the country – has been having a terrible time with its water supply. Dams are running dry across NMB, and citizens of Gqeberha have been left to prepare for something resembling a catastrophe.
Recent projections suggested that water reticulation could run TOTALLY dry by mid-July. However, this latest rainfall prediction will be music to the ears of millions in the province. A proper dousing is in store, and it could be enough to temporarily replenish the dams.
NMB Day Zero fears ‘may get quick reprieve’
The reservoirs servicing the NMB municipality, by the way, remain at crisis point:
NELSON MANDELA BAY | DAM LEVELS AS AT 9 MAY 2022 pic.twitter.com/Aa0Htt5ctK
— Bay Bulletin NMB (@bay_bulletin) May 9, 2022
Gqeberha rainfall forecast for the week ahead
Within the next 72 hours or so, the first drops of the predicted deluge should reach Gqeberha and the NMB metro. We’ve got a detailed summary of what to expect here, alongside a cumulative rainfall projection for the week ahead.
- From about midday on Thursday 19 May, the rain will make landfall in the Gqeberha/NMB area.
- This will bring prolonged spells of rain and intermittent showers for a 36-hour period, going through to Friday night.
- Another, less intense band of rain will sweep through the Day Zero-threatened region on Saturday morning.
- By Saturday night, the downpours will come to a halt, and the skies above the metro will clear.
- It’s forecast that around 60mm could fall in Gqeberha/NMB, with 90mm projected up the road for Port Alfred…
