Knysna declared local disaster amid water crisis

KNYSNA NEWS - Although greater Knysna experienced some relief following rainfall on Thursday, the amount received is unfortunately insufficient to remove the municipality from disaster conditions.

As a result, the Knysna Council has declared the greater Knysna municipal area a local disaster area in terms of the Disaster Management Act, Act 57 of 2002.

Council decision enables emergency intervention

Knysna Executive Mayor, Thando Matika, confirmed that the declaration was approved during a special Council meeting held Friday, 16 January.

"This decision allows for urgent provincial and national interventions," said Matika. "It also empowers the Mayor to authorise unforeseen and unavoidable expenditure in emergency circumstances where no provision exists in the approved budget."

Disaster management structures activated

Matika said the water emergency will be managed in accordance with the Knysna Municipality Disaster Management Plan.

The Garden Route District Disaster Management Centre, in consultation with the Knysna Local Disaster Management Unit, will coordinate short- and medium-term interventions required to address the crisis.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture will also be requested to conduct an urgent assessment of the drought’s impact on agricultural areas within the municipal boundaries.

Water flowing over the weir at the Gouna River provides a welcome sight, with pumps not running despite elevated upstream and downstream levels.
Photo: Supplied