The country’s dam levels have increased by 1% since last week, reports the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), with some provinces still experiencing a decrease in levels.

According to the DWS, there has been a 1% increase in the average dam levels across the country from to the previous assessment. The average levels now stand at 51% across the country, significantly lower than the previous year’s 75.3% around the same time last year.

Individually, there has been a decline in average dam levels in Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga, while the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Free State have all experienced increased levels.

The Western Cape levels have increased by 27.1% over the past seven weeks and are now at 55%. A further increase is anticipated during this week as a result of recent frontal systems.

The South African Weather Services (SAWS) reported that seasonal outlook for rainfall is below normal over most of the country for the coming spring except for the west of the country with expected improvement towards summer.

Above normal temperatures are expected over the entire country except for early spring in the west. There are generally higher than normal minimum temperatures are also expected for most of the country with the exception of the southern and south-eastern parts.

The department has expressed its appreciation to industries as they continue to implement significant water saving measures to curb the effects of the instabilities.