Grain South Africa has warned that if the current wet conditions being experienced in the Southern Cape persist, the country might have to import more wheat this season.

 

The organisation's chairperson in the region, Schalk Viljoen, says farmers have measured up to 300-millimetres of rain since last night. He says the situation makes it impossible to get into the fields, delaying harvesting by at least three weeks. Viljoen says for the farmers the financial implications are greater because of higher import costs, the dry winter experienced this year and the possible downgrading of wheat quality. He says because South Africa is a nett importer the possibility is there that the country might have to import more and it means the consumer will have to pay more at the end of the day.

 

The South African Weather Service says while more heavy rain is forecast for parts of the Cape south coast, the fierce gale force winds that have battered Cape Town and other parts of the Western Cape over the past two days are subsiding. Weather experts say there is a possibility of showers in the region between Helderberg and George. However, forecaster Lethando Masimini says the situation will improve by tomorrow.

 

A number of rivers in Worcester have burst their banks and part of the town is cut off due to the storm. The N1 highway was closed last night because of flooding. Chief of fire services in Worcester, Previn Govender, says the rain has started falling again. He says there's a possibility that the highway will be closed again. Residents of the Baden area in the Winelands Municipality in the province have fled their homes due to flooding. Farms and resorts have been cut-off after a bridge washed away. A resident in the area, Christell Whitehead says two garages and a room have collapsed at her home and many homes are surrounded by water.

 

 

 

Grain SA