As boring as it might seem, the weather has been a massive talking point for South Africans in 2017. And no, it’s not because 55-million of us are awkwardly engaging in small talk. With Cyclone Dineo passing over the country’s extreme north this week (social media had plenty to say about her), we also have Johannesburg and Cape Town on two extreme ends of the rainfall spectrum.
Although Johannesburg is a summer rainfall region, the city is experiencing quite a bit this week with the SA Weather Service issuing warnings of possible floods in Gauteng.
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Cape Town, on the other hand, has just over 100 days of usable water left in its dams. The city’s dam levels are also the lowest they’ve been in three decades.
Johannesburg’s getting lots of rain today
Some just wish that Jozi’s rain would holiday down south.
Never thought I’d land in Joburg and be amazed by how green it is… Really emphasised how much Cape Town needs the rain
— Leanne (@Lakshmi8916) February 21, 2017
What are the chances of Joburg’s rain making it down south? We really need it! The bugs are in revolt in Cape Town due to the drought
— ChantelleInCapeTown (@ChantelleMoo12) February 21, 2017
Some just can’t help but tease thirsty Capetonians.
Dear Cape Town, Another lovely rainy day in Johannesburg #capetown #johanessburg #rain
A post shared by Khaliq (@khaliqdza) on
And who can resist a good meme?
Describe the weather using a rappers name: expect lil Wayne and a lotta Wayne
Tuesday13|18°C 80%
Be safe. #JHBWeather #Jhbtraffic ^NS pic.twitter.com/Ve7zsMQgzI— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 21, 2017
The Vaal Dam is filling up nicely, but so are Johannesburg’s roads.
#savewater
54mm rainfall received in Vaal Dam catchment area over the past 24 hours alone! The water level is now just below 65% ^GZ pic.twitter.com/0D9EBAD4zD — City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 21, 2017
This is Witkoppen Road.
#AVOID #FLOODED Witkoppen road, as you’re heading West from Douglas road, near Douglasdale SAPS. Still not resolved following last flooding pic.twitter.com/sT3tkGGT3c
— Cliff Pinto (@PigSpotter) February 21, 2017
#JHBTraffic #WitkoppenRoad next to Sunninghill hospital is flooded. Be very cautious. #floods pic.twitter.com/YSdSmc34sz
— KhayelihleKhumalo (@KhayaJames) February 21, 2017
Please #AVOID Witkoppen road, heading West from Douglas road, near Douglasdale SAPS. #flooding #Jhbtraffic ^NS pic.twitter.com/ad9VKrYjyS
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 21, 2017
This is River Road, Bryanston.
In Bryanston – River Road bridge is flooded #JHBTraffic pic.twitter.com/3GC1E4NdpI
— EWN Traffic (@EWNTraffic) February 21, 2017
Braamfontein Spruit is also bursting its banks ever so slightly.
Don't even think about crossing the Spruit today. #StaySafe #Flood @Parkhurst_JHB @JoburgParksZoo @CityofJoburgZA pic.twitter.com/YkufVJkblR
— Cllr Tim (Ward 117) (@jozi117) February 21, 2017
Even Pretoria is joining in. This is Akasia, in the city’s northern suburbs.
By my werk in #Klerksoord #Pretoria @peoples_weather @ReenvalSA pic.twitter.com/1sBal94R4w
— Riam Exley (@Riam_41967) February 21, 2017
Cape Town’s running out of water
As for Cape Town, well, the city’s experiencing yet another scorcher today, with highs in the low 30s.
These snaps of Cape Town’s largest dam Theewaterskloof, were taken this weekend.
Took a drive out to #Theewaterskloof Dam yesterday. Dist storm on the far side. Still-wet sand at the fast receding edge. pic.twitter.com/PSpmSj7qxP
— Meg Davies (@Meggie_Lynne) February 19, 2017
There were also a number of veld fires reported across the greater peninsula, including Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Banhook in Stellenbosch, and Rhodes Memorial on the slopes of Devil’s Peak.
The #PringleBayFire (#BettysBayFire) has been declared contained by @OverstrandMuni but they have crews for mop up / monitorig for flare ups pic.twitter.com/W2LNPKEzqo
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) February 21, 2017
Images of the Banhoek Fire #StellenboschFire #BanhoekFire #SavingLives #ProtectingTheEnvironment@SAWinelands @StellWineRoute @ewnupdates pic.twitter.com/vjflkznsbt
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) February 20, 2017
@CPFPA1 we see a fire next to UCT, building quickly #CapeFire #fire pic.twitter.com/30gdxkp66D
— Rachel Browning (@rachelb2000) February 20, 2017
There’s no indication of when rain will fall in Cape Town. Long-term forecasts suggest that no rain is in sight for the rest of the month. Johannesburg might only get a break from the wet weather on Sunday.
Feature image: Francisco Anzola via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)
