Hazelemere, Umgeni dam levels rise by 1%
Although this weekend's rains have brought some hope to parts of our drought-stricken province, Umgeni Water says it didn't have much of an impact on the levels at some of the major dams.
The utility's Shami Harichunder says both the Hazelemere and Umgeni dams saw a rise of only about 1%.
He however says the situation was different for the South Coast Region.
"South Coast was a little more fortunate in the sense that there was about 290 millimetres of rainfall which has resulted in the three dam reserves - Umzinto, Nungwane and E.J.Smith rising quite significantly. It must be understood that these dams are pretty small and they deplete as quickly as they fill up," he said.
Meanwhile North Coast water service provider Sembcorp Siza Water says it's too early to say if water levels at the dams have increased.
Managing Director Shyam Misra says they will only be able to determine if there was enough rain in catchment areas on Wednesday.
Misra says despite the amount of rain that fell - the drought a still a reality.
We expect the restriction will continue.
"It is expected that restrictions will continue and probably get harsher as time goes on because we are entering a dry spell now of Winter stages. Hopefully, it is a sign to come that there is relief on the horizon in terms of El Nino loosening its grip on us," he said.
(File photo)