South Africa’s economy hit hard by heavy rain

Heavy downpour in the Gauteng province of South Africa has led to opening of seven water sluices at the Vaal Dam. The country’s second-largest dam at present is 105 per cent full and therefore seven gates were forced to open to reduce pressure. If wet conditions persist the river could break its bank and cause flooding.

The dam is situated on the Vaal River, 56 km south of Johannesburg in the Gauteng province. Since this province of South Africa is battling with the wettest March in 14 years, a serious flood warning remains in place for this part of the country.

Economy Hampered

The commercial capital Johannesburg recorded 109 mm of rain during the first nine days of March. The city thereby, broke the long term average record of 101 mm of rain in the month of March. Torrential rain in this financial hub has ravaged the economy due to frequent power cuts and labour strikes. Similarly, Pretoria is also experiencing the wettest March in 17 years.

The state-owned Eskom Holdings, which generates 95 per cent of the country's electricity, was forced to declare an emergency and enforced rolling blackouts last week as wet coal supplies affected production at power plants.

No respite from rain

According to latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, Gauteng and Mpumalanga will continue to receive rain for the next one week. The intensity could be less for the next two days and pick up by 17^th of March.

Warm and moist winds coming from the Indian Ocean are resulting in torrential rain in several cities of the country including Kimberly, New Castle, Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Johannesburg.

picture courtesy- Ossewa