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South Africa

Heavens finally open over Nelson Mandela Bay — city on track for record May rainfall

With more heavy rainfall in drought-hit Nelson Mandela Bay, the region is on track for the wettest May in 79 years. Roads flooded and in informal settlements, residents were up to their knees in water.
Heavens finally open over Nelson Mandela Bay — city on track for record May rainfall Flooded roads in Newton Park, Nelson Mandela Bay. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)
Estelle Ellis and Deon Ferreira
By Estelle Ellis and Deon Ferreira
30 May 2023
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After eight years of drought, the rain finally came.

Garth Sampson from the South African Weather Office said last week the metro had received 167.6mm. This surpassed the previous record for autumn rain, set in 2007, of 165mm. The record for the wettest May was set in 1935 when 268.2mm fell in Nelson Mandela Bay.

nelson mandela bay rain Large parts of Nelson Mandela Bay received heavy rainfall on 30 May 2023, resulting in widespread flooding. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)



Nelson Mandela Bay rain Umbrellas come out for the first time in years as commuters make their way to work on 30 May 2023. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)



Nelson Mandela Bay rain Street sellers stuck to their tasks on flooded roads. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)



Nelson Mandela Bay rain Homes, roads, ditches and streams flooded in Walmer Township, Nelson Mandela Bay. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)



Walmer Township rain The effects of heavy rain on Monday, 30 May 2023 in Walmer Township. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)



nelson mandela bay rain Homes and roads were flooded. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)



nelson mandela bay rain Flooded roads in Newton Park, Nelson Mandela Bay. (Photo: Deon Ferreira)



Between Monday and Tuesday, more rain fell in a city that had been battling a debilitating drought and water crisis.

No official figures have been released for Tuesday, but many residents measured 20mm to 30mm at various points in the metro.

In the catchment area for the dams, significant rainfall was measured. The region’s largest dam, which was at 3% capacity in 2022, now stands at 22%. The Impofu Dam near Humansdorp, however, was at only 7% with no usable water.

The 3rd Avenue dip in Newton Park was closed due to flooding.  DM

Comments (3)

Jacques Wessels May 31, 2023, 09:29 AM

Great great just clean up the place

Barrie Lewis May 31, 2023, 06:57 AM

Those with the foresight to harvest and store this magnificence are laughing. Enough pristine, free water through until the next rainy season. And underground reservoir is the cheapest and easiest solution. 5m in diameter, 2m deep, or even bigger. We look forward to hearing what it did for the storage dams; if little, more shortages in a month.

Rob Fisher May 31, 2023, 07:29 AM

I have been doing the same in Cape Town, loving the rain. Better than a tank though is just to get the water to infiltrate the sand under your house, then you can store 100,000s kilolitres. 500sq meter erf * 2m depth or more. My garden looks like a swimming pool for a few hours.

Ritchie Morris May 30, 2023, 09:40 PM

Great news on the rains. BUT please residents, just look at the state of those streams and stormwater channels in Walmer. The litter and filth. No wonder we have water quality problems. If you crap on your doorstep you will most likely at some stage step in it. Come on residents take some collective responsibility and clean up your yards.