Up to 100mm of rain fell in parts of the Northern Cape over the weekend, although most of the province received little to no rainfall.
By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
“We are grateful, so grateful!” says Willem Symington, chairman of Agri Northern Cape, referring to the much-needed rain that fell in some parts of the Northern Cape over the weekend.
“Farmers who received good rain are truly thankful. Remember, producers in the drier parts of our province aren’t used to getting 30mm at once – more often it’s just 3mm at a time,” says Janine Byleveld, operations officer at Agri Northern Cape.
Farmers have reported everything from no rain to 100mm. The Kuruman district measured 15-100mm, Groblershoop 0-65mm and Britstown 5-91mm.
Also read: Four seasons in one week: Extreme weather expected across South Africa
Bakkie Washed Away
Franchwa Batt, chairman of the Loeriesfontein Farmers’ Union, says some farmers in his district measured up to 40mm of rain, whereas others received no rain. In the Hantam area (which usually gets winter rainfall), some places saw no rain and others up to 20mm. In the Bushmanland area (which usually gets summer rainfall), some farmers recorded nothing whereas others measured up to 40mm.
“There are still many dry patches in our area, but the rain that did fall gives us a lot of hope. And we remain optimistic that more rain is on the way.”
A stream came down so strongly near Eskom’s Helios substation after the rains that a bakkie was swept away. A resident also recorded a video of the Klein-Rooiberg River in flood on the farm Kluitjieskraal.
Locusts
Byleveld says they expect locust sightings in the province to increase after the rain. Farmers in the Upington district have already reported swarms of desert locusts in three different areas in October.
Farmers are urged to report any locust activity on AgriSA’s new locust-monitoring platform.
Swarms can be reported via WhatsApp on +27 79 467 0702. Users will be guided step-by-step to submit the location and other details.
