SA is facing an epic drought

2003-10-10 08:01

Marietie Louw

Waterpoort - South Africa could face its worst drought since 1992 if it doesn't rain within the next two months.

This was the view of several weather experts when asked about the drought which has had South Africa in a stanglehold since last year.

In the Waterpoort district near the Soutpansberg in Limpopo, stick-thin cattle and game can be seen everywhere because there's not enough fodder and grazing.

Farmers have been providing feed to cattle and game for a along time because there is not enough grazing.

Rivers stopped flowing months ago and some farmers are pumping subterranean water from the Limpopo river's banks.

Philip Frost of the CSIR's satellite centre in Hartbeeshoek says data indicates the drought will be similar to the severe one in 1992 if it doesn't rain before the end of the year.

"According to satellite data, the plant growth and grazing shortages in most provinces are similar to those experienced in 1992", he said.

The devastating fires in August and September in several provinces wiped out the remaining grazing.

Johan van den Berg of environment analysis company Enviro Vision agrees with Frost that rain is "essential" before the end of the year.

"If it doesn't rain in the Eastern Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal before October 20, we will have problems."

Sakkie Nigrini, an independent weather expert, says it is too soon to say that the present drought is "the most severe in memory".

- Beeld