mbulelo smpofu
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE effects of climate change are becoming more severe as witnessed by the increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
Beitbridge District yesterday experienced temperatures as high as 42°C, resulting in a surge in demand for clean drinking water. This demand has put pressure on the already limited water supply in the town, which has been further depleted due to the El Niño-induced droughts.
The local municipality has been struggling to meet the daily demand of 18 mega-litres of water due to decreasing supply sources.
In addition, the council owes Zinwa over ZWG3 million, leading to a drop in water supplies. The situation is compounded by the fact that many residents, ratepayers, and Government departments also owe the council over ZWG40 million, preventing the council from meeting the demand for clean drinking water.
Beitbridge deputy mayor, Councillor John Manatsa, recently stated that to restore normal water supplies and pay 50 percent of the debt at every recharge to Zinwa, the council needs US$20 000 or equivalent a week.
The water crisis and heatwave have resulted in an increase in water vending across the town, causing prices for a bucket of water to increase from R3 to R5, while a 1 000-litre water tank is being sold for between R100 and R120.
Traditional purified water dealers are also experiencing higher sales due to the sudden increase in demand.
“Business is increasing daily due to the instant demand induced by the heatwave and the shortages of council water due to limited supplies. We used to sell at least 8 000 litres of purified water before this heat wave, and now we are pushing double the figures daily. As a result, we have increased our purifying capacity,” said a water dealer who preferred to remain anonymous.
According to a vendor identified only as Mary, she has been striking a silver lining in terms of daily takings due to increased sales of soft drinks and drinking water.
“Although the movement of human traffic through the border has not increased, sales in terms of soft drinks and mineral water everywhere in town are increasing daily,” said Mary.
She said her customers are mostly truck drivers, customs clearing agents, and travellers using the Beitbridge border post. Mary added that before the latest heatwave, she struggled to sell more than two crates of soft drinks or mineral water, but now business was good.
In most shops, purified water, which used to sell for between R5 and R7, is now being sold for R10 due to the increased demand. However, most taxi drivers are finding the going tough, with many people opting to stay indoors and limit movement due to high temperatures.
“Business is low; few people are moving due to the heat. At the moment, we are only servicing regular clients, and at times they ask us to do errands for them while they stay in their homes,” said a taxi driver, Yope Ndou.
Beitbridge District Medical Officer, Dr Lenos Samhere, said so far no cases of heat-related deaths or ailments have been reported across all health facilities around the Beitbridge District. Veterinarians are watching their constituency too, with poultry being their most sensitive potential patients.
Beitbridge agronomist Eve Kuza said most crops have not been affected by the heatwave since they are at the germination stage.
“We are still monitoring the situation and we will keep advising farmers,” she said.
The local civil protection committee focal person, Jahson Mugodzwa, said the civil protection authorities remain on alert.
“We are on high alert although we are yet to receive reports of casualties, and we advise members of the community to stay hydrated and keep abreast with periodic weather forecasts,” he said.
