George Municipality calls for disaster declaration

THE George Municipality's has called for the municipal area be classified as a Local Disaster Area amid worsening drought conditions and sharply declining dam levels, has been sent for approval.

- MURRAY SWART

GEORGE Municipality has applied for local disaster status as dam levels drop sharply and water-saving measures are stepped up amid worsening drought conditions. I Supplied

(Supplied)

The council unanimously approved the request on January 29, with the submission now before the Provincial Disaster Management Centre for assessment.

Municipal spokesperson, Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, said the municipality is facing “critical water shortages following prolonged below-average rainfall, which is expected to continue”.

George's primary water source, the Garden Route Dam, was recorded at 44.77% on January 26, a steep decline from 87.87% at the same time last year. The Haarlem Dam, supplying Haarlem and Uniondale, stood at 24%, compared with 85.42% a year ago. Uniondale's supply from the Kammanassie River has also been severely depleted, with limited groundwater available.