Monthly Drought Bulletin August 2021

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Monthly Drought Bulletin August 2021 SAWS Drought Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Monthly Drought Bulletin August 2021 1. Overview Rainfall received during August was above-normal in large parts of the Free State and North-West and over the northeastern parts of the Northern Cape, western-half of the Limpopo Province as well as in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The remainder of the country experienced somewhat dry conditions in isolated areas. During the 3-month period from June 2021 to August 2021, above-normal rainfall was mainly received in North-West and over the northeastern parts of the Northern Cape as well as in isolated areas of the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The remainder of the country experienced somewhat dry to moderately dry conditions in isolated areas. During the 6-month period from March 2021 to August 2021, moderately dry to severely dry, with extremely dry conditions in small isolated areas, were experienced in parts of the Free State, North- West, the Limpopo Province and the Eastern and Northern Cape, Free. The remainder of the country experienced somewhat dry conditions in isolated areas. The 12- and 24-month SPI maps give an indication of areas where prolonged droughts exist, in other words, where below-normal rainfall occurred over a period of one year or longer. On the 12- month SPI map, extremely dry conditions continues to dominate the southwestern parts of the Eastern Cape. On the 24-month SPI map, extremely dry conditions are still noticeable in small parts of the Eastern and Northern Cape. This situation indicated that substantial rainfall is necessary to alleviate the dry conditions in these regions. Public Document: CLS-CI-Drought Monitoring-2021-08.1 Page 1 of 7 SAWS Drought Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Rainfall assessment (1- and 3-monthly maps) Figure 1: Assessment of rainfall maps for 1-month (August 2021; top) and for 3-month (June to August 2021; bottom) Public Document: CLS-CI-Drought Monitoring-2021-08.1 Page 2 of 7 SAWS Drought Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Indications of Drought 3.1. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) Figure 2: Short to medium term SPI Maps for 1-month (August 2021; top), 3-month (June 2021 to August 2021; middle) and 6-month (March 2021 to August 2021; bottom) Public Document: CLS-CI-Drought Monitoring-2021-08.1 Page 3 of 7 SAWS Drought Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Figure 3: Long term 12-month SPI map (September 2020 to August 2021; top) and 24-month SPI map (September 2019 to August 2021; bottom) Public Document: CLS-CI-Drought Monitoring-2021-08.1 Page 4 of 7 SAWS Drought Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.2 Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and Temperature Condition Index (TCI) The use of VCI and TCI help to monitor the severity of drought by comparing the current vegetation state with same period the previous year. Low and high values indicate bad and good vegetation state conditions respectively. Figure 4 show the state of vegetation in South Africa. The Northern Cape, the Free State, the eastern parts of the North West, as well as the western parts of the Eastern Cape and Gauteng are experiencing stressed vegetation conditions compared to the same period the previous year. The rest of the country is showing improved vegetation conditions compared to the same period the previous year. Figure 4: VCI (left) and TCI (right) in the week of the 13th of September 2021 Public Document: CLS-CI-Drought Monitoring-2021-08.1 Page 5 of 7 SAWS Drought Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Drought stricken regions 4.1 SPI and SPEI Based on the SPI maps shown in Figure 3, dry conditions persist in the south-western parts of the Eastern Cape and south-eastern parts of the Northern Cape. To further investigate the severity of the drought we use the SPEI alongside SPI. The SPEI consider both the precipitation and potential evapotranspiration in determining drought. Unlike the SPI, SPEI captures the impact of increased temperatures on water demand. Figure 5 presents the SPI and SPEI at Willowmore at both 12 and 24 months. Willowmore, representative of the western parts of the Eastern Cape, continues to experience extremely dry conditions despite recent rainfall. Figure 6 presents SPI time series at 12 and 24 months over Williston. From the SPI time series it is notable that the area of Williston continue to experience. Figure 5: Time series plots for Willowmore weather station for 12- and 24-month SPI (top) and SPEI (bottom). Public Document: CLS-CI-Drought Monitoring-2021-08.1 Page 6 of 7 SAWS Drought Bulletin ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Figure 6: Time series plots for Williston weather station for 12- and 24-month SPI 5. Dam levels The table below show the average dam level per province for the week of the 13th September 2021 compared to the same period the previous year. All the provinces are showing improved dam levels, with an exception of the Gauteng province which have dropped by 4.8% compared to the same period last year. Table: Provincial Dam levels in the week of the 13th September 2021 and for the same period in 2020 (Source: DWS). Same time Last 13 August 2021 Province Year Update (% Full) (% Full) Eastern Cape 50 50.2 Free State 76.3 91 Gauteng 98.3 93.5 KwaZulu-Natal 56.2 67 Limpopo 62.3 80.7 Mpumalanga 67.6 79.1 Northern Cape 94.8 95 North West 64.7 76.2 Western Cape 76.4 82.1 End of document Public Document: CLS-CI-Drought Monitoring-2021-08.1 Page 7 of 7 .
Recommended publications
  • Key Experiences of Land Reform in the Northern Cape Province of South
    PR cov no. 1 1/18/05 4:09 PM Page c POLICY & RESEARCH SERIES Key Experiences 1 of Land Reform in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa Alastair Bradstock January 2005 PR book no. 1 1/18/05 4:01 PM Page i POLICY & RESEARCH SERIES Key Experiences 1 of Land Reform in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa Alastair Bradstock January 2005 PR book no. 1 1/18/05 4:01 PM Page ii Editors: Jacqueline Saunders and Lynne Slowey Photographs: Pieter Roos Designer: Eileen Higgins E [email protected] Printers: Waterside Press T +44 (0) 1707 275555 Copies of this publication are available from: FARM-Africa, 9-10 Southampton Place London,WC1A 2EA, UK T + 44 (0) 20 7430 0440 F + 44 (0) 20 7430 0460 E [email protected] W www.farmafrica.org.uk FARM-Africa (South Africa), 4th Floor,Trust Bank Building, Jones Street PO Box 2410, Kimberley 8300, Northern Cape, South Africa T + 27 (0) 53 831 8330 F + 27 (0) 53 831 8333 E [email protected] ISBN: 1 904029 02 7 Registered Charity No. 326901 Copyright: FARM-Africa, 2005 Registered Company No. 1926828 PR book no. 1 1/18/05 4:01 PM Page iii FARM-Africa’s Policy and Research Series encapsulates project experiences and research findings from its grassroots programmes in Eastern and Southern Africa.Aimed at national and international policy makers, national government staff, research institutions, NGOs and the international donor community, the series makes specific policy recommendations to enhance the productivity of the smallholder agricultural sector in Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Eastern Cape
    Eastern Cape Introduction South Africa’s ‘wild’ province, the Eastern Cape features expanses of untouched beach, bush and forest. This is Nelson Mandela’s home province, and an area with some enticing attractions – pristine beaches, abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. Top attractions Addo Elephant National Park This is one of the few reserves in the world that offers the Big Seven – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, great white sharks and southern right whales. The 164 000ha park, which is situated near Port Elizabeth, is rated as one of the best places in Africa to see elephants up close. It also has the world’s largest breeding colony of Cape gannets, rare flightless dung beetles, 1 000-year-old cycads, and hundreds of pastel-coloured proteas. Cambedoo National Park This stunningly beautiful reserve falls within the Karoo and is home to rare plants and wildlife. It almost completely surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet, the oldest town in the Eastern Cape. Its most famous attraction, however, is the Valley of Desolation, made up of spectacular dolerite pillars. Prehistoric fossils have been discovered on the floor of the valley. There are plenty of animals to be found, including the bat-eared fox, meerkat, vervet monkeys and Cape mountain zebra. Baviaanskloof wilderness area The Baviaanskloof mega-reserve is a natural, unspoilt mountain kingdom. The 200km-long Baviaanskloof, the Valley of the Baboons, is so named because of the large numbers of baboons in the area. Spectacular plant and animal life compete for attention. Tsitsikamma National Park This park forms part of the Garden Route National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • CURRICULUM VITAE ELIZE BUTLER PROFESSION: Palaeontologist YEARS’ EXPERIENCE: 26 Years in Palaeontology
    CURRICULUM VITAE ELIZE BUTLER PROFESSION: Palaeontologist YEARS’ EXPERIENCE: 26 years in Palaeontology EDUCATION: B.Sc Botany and Zoology, 1988 University of the Orange Free State B.Sc (Hons) Zoology, 1991 University of the Orange Free State Management Course, 1991 University of the Orange Free State M. Sc. Cum laude (Zoology), 2009 University of the Free State Dissertation title: The postcranial skeleton of the Early Triassic non-mammalian Cynodont Galesaurus planiceps: implications for biology and lifestyle Registered as a PhD fellow at the Zoology Department of the UFS 2013 to current Dissertation title: A new gorgonopsian from the uppermost Daptocephalus Assemblage Zone, in the Karoo Basin of South Africa MEMBERSHIP Palaeontological Society of South Africa (PSSA) 2006-currently EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Part time Laboratory assistant Department of Zoology & Entomology University of the Free State Zoology 1989- 1992 Part time laboratory assistant Department of Virology University of the Free State Zoology 1992 Research Assistant National Museum, Bloemfontein 1993 – 1997 Principal Research Assistant National Museum, Bloemfontein and Collection Manager 1998–currently TECHNICAL REPORTS Butler, E. 2014. Palaeontological Impact Assessment for the proposed upgrade of existing water supply infrastructure at Noupoort, Northern Cape Province. 2014. Bloemfontein. Butler, E. 2015. Palaeontological impact assessment of the proposed consolidation, re-division and development of 250 serviced erven in Nieu-Bethesda, Camdeboo local municipality, Eastern Cape. Bloemfontein. Butler, E. 2015. Palaeontological impact assessment of the proposed mixed land developments at Rooikraal 454, Vrede, Free State. Bloemfontein. Butler, E. 2015. Palaeontological exemption report of the proposed truck stop development at Palmiet 585, Vrede, Free State. Bloemfontein. Butler, E. 2015. Palaeontological impact assessment of the proposed Orange Grove 3500 residential development, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality East London, Eastern Cape.
    [Show full text]
  • Population Trends of Seabirds Breeding in South Africa's Eastern Cape and the Possible Influence of Anthropogenic and Environ
    Crawford et al.: Population trends of seabirds breeding in South Africa 159 POPULATION TRENDS OF SEABIRDS BREEDING IN SOUTH AFRICA’S EASTERN CAPE AND THE POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF ANTHROPOGENIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE ROBERT J.M. CRAWFORD,1,2 PHILIP A. WHITTINGTON,3,4 A. PAUL MARTIN,5 ANTHONY J. TREE4,6 & AZWIANEWI B. MAKHADO1 1Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marine and Coastal Management, Private Bag X2, Rogge Bay, 8012, South Africa ([email protected]) 2Animal Demography Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa 3East London Museum, PO Box 11021, Southernwood, 5213, South Africa 4Department of Zoology, PO Box 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa 5PO Box 61029, Bluewater Bay, 6212, South Africa 6PO Box 211, Bathurst, 6166, South Africa Received 28 August 2008, accepted 4 April 2009 SUMMARY CRAWFORD, R.J.M., WHITTINGTON, P.A., MARTIN, A.P., TREE, A.J. & MAKHADO, A.B. 2009. Population trends of seabirds breeding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and the possible influence of anthropogenic and environmental change. Marine Ornithology 37: 159–174. Eleven species of seabird breed in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. Numbers of African Penguin Spheniscus demersus and Cape Gannet Morus capensis in the province increased in the 20th century, but penguins decreased in the early 21st century. A recent eastward displacement of Sardine Sardinops sagax off South Africa increased the availability of this food source to gannets but did not benefit penguins, which have a shorter foraging range. Fishing and harbour developments may have influenced the recent decrease of penguins.
    [Show full text]
  • Mbombela Local Municipality
    MBOMBELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW 2009 -2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms 3 1. FOREWORD 5 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 3. IDP OVERVIEW 7 3.1 General Background 7 3.2 IDP Planning Process 9 3.3 Institutional Arrangement and Structure 9 3.4 IDP Process Overview 17 3.5 Key learning points and improvements during planning process 18 4. ANALYSIS PHASE 20 4.1 Institutional arrangements and structures 28 4.2 IDP PROCESS OVERVIEW 28 4.2.1 analysis phase 29 4.2.2 Strategic phase 4.2.3 Project phase 29 4.2.4 Integration phase 4.2.5 Approval phase 4.3 KEY LEARNING POINTS AND IMPROVEMENTS DURING PLANNING PROCESS 30 4.4 COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER AND PRIORITY ISSUES 31-48 4.5 PRIORITIES RAISED BY TARGET GROUPS (YOUTH, WOMAN AND DISABILITIES)48-49 5. MUNICIPALITY CONTEXT OF PRIORITY ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES 51-69 5.1 Service delivery priority issues 5.2 Social development 5.3 Local economic development 5.4 Good governance and public participation 6. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE 70 7. ALIGHNMENT OF IDP WITH PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL 71 MUNICIPAL KEY PERFOMANCE INDICATORS 77 8. MUNICIPAL BUDGET 82 9. MUNIPALITY PRIORITY PROGRAMES AND PROJECTS FOR 2009 – 2012 93 10. MUNICIPAL SECTOR PLANS 168 2 ACRONYMS ABET : Adult Based Education and Training Asgi-SA : Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa DALA : Department of Agriculture and Land Administration DBSA : Development Bank of Southern Africa DCSR : Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation DEAT : Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism DEDP : Department of Economic Development
    [Show full text]
  • General Observations About the Free State Provincial Government
    A Better Life for All? Fifteen Year Review of the Free State Provincial Government Prepared for the Free State Provincial Government by the Democracy and Governance Programme (D&G) of the Human Sciences Research Council. Ivor Chipkin Joseph M Kivilu Peliwe Mnguni Geoffrey Modisha Vino Naidoo Mcebisi Ndletyana Susan Sedumedi Table of Contents General Observations about the Free State Provincial Government........................................4 Methodological Approach..........................................................................................................9 Research Limitations..........................................................................................................10 Generic Methodological Observations...............................................................................10 Understanding of the Mandate...........................................................................................10 Social attitudes survey............................................................................................................12 Sampling............................................................................................................................12 Development of Questionnaire...........................................................................................12 Data collection....................................................................................................................12 Description of the realised sample.....................................................................................12
    [Show full text]
  • Mapping Irrigated Areas in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
    IWMI Working Paper Mapping Irrigated Areas in the Limpopo Province, 172 South Africa Xueliang Cai, James Magidi, Luxon Nhamo and Barbara van Koppen Working Papers The publications in this series record the work and thinking of IWMI researchers, and knowledge that the Institute’s scientific management feels is worthy of documenting. This series will ensure that scientific data and other information gathered or prepared as a part of the research work of the Institute are recorded and referenced. Working Papers could include project reports, case studies, conference or workshop proceedings, discussion papers or reports on progress of research, country-specific research reports, monographs, etc. Working Papers may be copublished, by IWMI and partner organizations. Although most of the reports are published by IWMI staff and their collaborators, we welcome contributions from others. Each report is reviewed internally by IWMI staff. The reports are published and distributed both in hard copy and electronically (www.iwmi.org) and where possible all data and analyses will be available as separate downloadable files. Reports may be copied freely and cited with due acknowledgment. About IWMI IWMI’s mission is to provide evidence-based solutions to sustainably manage water and land resources for food security, people’s livelihoods and the environment. IWMI works in partnership with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop scalable agricultural water management solutions that have a tangible impact on poverty reduction, food security
    [Show full text]
  • The Free State, South Africa
    Higher Education in Regional and City Development Higher Education in Regional and City Higher Education in Regional and City Development Development THE FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA The third largest of South Africa’s nine provinces, the Free State suffers from The Free State, unemployment, poverty and low skills. Only one-third of its working age adults are employed. 150 000 unemployed youth are outside of training and education. South Africa Centrally located and landlocked, the Free State lacks obvious regional assets and features a declining economy. Jaana Puukka, Patrick Dubarle, Holly McKiernan, How can the Free State develop a more inclusive labour market and education Jairam Reddy and Philip Wade. system? How can it address the long-term challenges of poverty, inequity and poor health? How can it turn the potential of its universities and FET-colleges into an active asset for regional development? This publication explores a range of helpful policy measures and institutional reforms to mobilise higher education for regional development. It is part of the series of the OECD reviews of Higher Education in Regional and City Development. These reviews help mobilise higher education institutions for economic, social and cultural development of cities and regions. They analyse how the higher education system T impacts upon regional and local development and bring together universities, other he Free State, South Africa higher education institutions and public and private agencies to identify strategic goals and to work towards them. CONTENTS Chapter 1. The Free State in context Chapter 2. Human capital and skills development in the Free State Chapter 3.
    [Show full text]
  • South Africa Yearbook 2012/13
    SOUTH AFRICA YEARBOOK 2012/13 Land and its p Land and its people Situated at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa boasts an amazing variety of natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife, birds, Land and its p plant species and mineral wealth. In addi- tion, its population comprises a unique diversity of people and cultures. The southern tip of Africa is also where archaeologists discovered 2,5-million-year- old fossils of man’s earliest ancestors, as well as 100 000-year-old remains of modern man. The land Stretching latitudinally from 22°S to 35°S and longitudinally from 17°E to 33°E, South Africa’s surface area covers 1 219 602 km2. According to Census 2011, the shift of the national boundary over the Indian Ocean in the north-east corner of KwaZulu-Natal to cater for the Isimangaliso Wetland Park led to the increase in South Africa’s land area. Physical features range from bushveld, grasslands, forests, deserts and majestic mountain peaks, to wide unspoilt beaches and coastal wetlands. The country shares common bound- aries with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, while the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho is landlocked by South African territory in the south-east. The 3 000-km shoreline stretching from the Mozambican border in the east to the Namibian border in the west is surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, which meet at Cape Point in the continent’s south- western corner. Prince Edward and Marion islands, annexed by South Africa in 1947, lie some 1 920 km south-east of Cape Town.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Cape Provincial Government
    NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT Northern Cape Provincial Treasury 9th Floor, Metlife Towers Market Square Private Bag X5054, Kimberley, 8300 Telephone: 053 830 8358 Fax: 053 831 5836 PR67/2018 ISBN: 978-0-621-46190-9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC REVIEW AND OUTLOOK 2018 Red Apple Media Northern Cape Provincial Treasury SOCIO-ECONOMIC REVIEW AND OUTLOOK 2018 Northern Cape Provincial Government Provincial Treasury Socio-Economic Review and Outlook 2018 7 March 2018 i SOCIO-ECONOMIC REVIEW AND OUTLOOK 2018 PR67/2018 ISBN: 978-0-621-46190-9 Socio-Economic Review and Outlook 2018 The Northern Cape Socio-Economic Review and Outlook 2018 is compiled using the latest available information from departmental and other sources. Some of this information is unaudited or subject to revision. For further information and to obtain additional copies of this document, please contact: Northern Cape Provincial Treasury Directorate: Economic Analysis Private Bag X 5054 Kimberley 8300 South Africa Tel: +27 53 830-8358 Fax: +27 53 832-2220 ii ii SOCIO-ECONOMIC REVIEW AND OUTLOOK 2018 Foreword At the time of publishing the Northern CapeSocio-Economic Review and Outlook, growth in world output for 2017 is estimated at 3.7 percent. The higher projections are largely due to unexpected growth upswings in Europe and Asia. The faster pace of growth experienced in 2017 is expected to continue into 2018 and 2019, with global growth projected at 3.9 percent for both years. In 2018, Advanced Economies are projected to grow at 2.3 per cent and Emerging and Developing Economies are projected to grow at 4.9 per cent.
    [Show full text]
  • Geology and Mineral Potential of Portion 6 of the Farm Steenkamps Pan Number 419 and Surrounding Area in the Siyanda District Near Upington, Northern Cape Province
    Western Cape Unit P.O. Box 572 Bellville 7535 SOUTH AFRICA c/o Oos and Reed Streets Bellville Cape Town Internet: http:// www.geoscience.org.za/ E-mail: [email protected] mailto:[email protected] Tel: 021 943 6736 Fax: 021 946 4190 GEOLOGY AND MINERAL POTENTIAL OF PORTION 6 OF THE FARM STEENKAMPS PAN NUMBER 419 AND SURROUNDING AREA IN THE SIYANDA DISTRICT NEAR UPINGTON, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE This short report describes the geology and mineral potential of a proposed site for a vehicle test facility near Upington in the Northern Cape Province. This site is located on Portion 6 of the Farm Steenkamps Pan number 419, approximately 35 km northeast of Upington (Fig. 1). The report includes the geology and mineral potential of the surrounding area and confirmation that no dolomitic deposits are to be found at this site. The Council for Geoscience provides this response in order to assist Webber Wentzel meet the requirements of regulations under Section 53 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002. The geology of the proposed site and surrounding area was obtained from the 1:250 000 - scale 2820 Upington geological map (Geological Survey, 1988) and explanation (Moen, 2007) and the 1:250 000 - scale 2820 Upington metallogenic map (Council for Geoscience, 1997). Information on the minerals and possible mineral potential was derived from this metallogenic map, together with the map explanation (Du Toit, 1998). The Council for Geoscience’s mineral database, SAMINDABA, which documents all known mineral deposits in South Africa, was also perused for information on any mineral deposits present on the site and surrounding area.
    [Show full text]
  • RESILIENCE in the LIMPOPO BASIN (RESILIM) PROGRAM Final Report
    RESILIENCE IN THE LIMPOPO BASIN (RESILIM) PROGRAM Final Report October 1, 2017 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Chemonics International Inc. The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States government. RESILIENCE IN THE LIMPOPO BASIN (RESILIM) PROGRAM Final Report October 1, 2107 Contract No. AID-674-C-12-00006 Cover photo: Across the Limpopo River Basin, the livelihoods of people such as this fisherman in Mozambique depend on effective transboundary management of natural resources, including water and biodiversity, as well as future climate impacts. Credit: Climate Investment Funds Action, 2014. CONTENTS Acronyms .............................................................................................................................................. i Executive Summary............................................................................................................................ ii 1. Project Context .............................................................................................................................. 1 Climate and Weather ................................................................................................................................... 1 Water Demand .............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]