Holidaymakers hoping to soak up a bit of fun and sun were in for a wet disappointment this Easter weekend.Heavy rains and cold conditions hit the province from Friday, with downpours lasting well into Sunday night.
Even yesterday, dark clouds and light drizzle lingered until late afternoon.
South African Weather Service forecaster Phumla Goba said a total of 110.8mm of rain fell between Friday afternoon and Monday morning.
According to Goba, affected areas included Port Alfred, Fort Beaufort, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Peddie and Joubertina.
Goba said a heavy rain warning was issued for towns along the Eastern Cape coast and adjacent interior.
“A cut-off low system moved through the Eastern Cape and has since moved out to sea with a surface high pressure system extending its ridge over the province,” she explained.
Owner of Fish River Diner and Caravan Park Thea Swartz said the wet weather was a deterrent to holidaymakers.
“I had so many reservations for the entire Easter weekend, with many people arriving here on Friday to leave today , but when the heavy rains hit many of them just packed up and left,” Swartz said.
“I had a lot of guests in, even one couple from Durban. They were here for a family retreat but they had to leave early. I only have four dedicated campers left who decided to stick it out.”
Swartz said the rain had dried up by yesterday morning, with sunshine and warm conditions.
Ed Rathbone, owner of Areena Riverside Resort, said none of his guests allowed the weather to disrupt their holiday.
“We have a restaurant and a commonroom so our campers managed to keep themselves entertained. It was a bit rough, but our campers stuck it out and no one left early,” he said.
Rathbone said the only incident to report was a tent which collapsed.
“My guests waited until our offices opened the next morning and we moved them into other accommodation,” Rathbone added.
Camp sites in West Bank and Beacon Bay were deserted yesterday, with only a handful of fishermen out at the water’s edge.
Revellers from Ebuhlanti at Eastern Beach said they had been forced to party in the rain.
“We love this place. It’s a nice picnic spot with braai area but this weekend it was hard to be here,” Siyamthanda Gwatyu said.
“We had to socialise from our car and there are no proper parking spaces. When it rains here then it floods. The municipality really needs to fix this place up and cater for all seasons because we love this place.”
Residential areas were also hit, with Nompumelelo and Duncan Village residents reporting flooding.
Gilden Khohlwa said his cupboards and bed had been wet since Friday, with a damp smell lingering through his house.
Nontombzana Tolana said she was forced to use refuse bags to try to keep rain water out.
“But I couldn’t stop it coming through the holes in the ceiling. Luckily only my bed got wet and I had to turn the mattress over today,” she said.
Goba said no more rain is expected to fall over the rest of the week. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
No fun in the rain for campers
Even yesterday, dark clouds and light drizzle lingered until late afternoon.
South African Weather Service forecaster Phumla Goba said a total of 110.8mm of rain fell between Friday afternoon and Monday morning.
According to Goba, affected areas included Port Alfred, Fort Beaufort, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Peddie and Joubertina.
Goba said a heavy rain warning was issued for towns along the Eastern Cape coast and adjacent interior.
“A cut-off low system moved through the Eastern Cape and has since moved out to sea with a surface high pressure system extending its ridge over the province,” she explained.
Owner of Fish River Diner and Caravan Park Thea Swartz said the wet weather was a deterrent to holidaymakers.
“I had so many reservations for the entire Easter weekend, with many people arriving here on Friday to leave today , but when the heavy rains hit many of them just packed up and left,” Swartz said.
“I had a lot of guests in, even one couple from Durban. They were here for a family retreat but they had to leave early. I only have four dedicated campers left who decided to stick it out.”
Swartz said the rain had dried up by yesterday morning, with sunshine and warm conditions.
Ed Rathbone, owner of Areena Riverside Resort, said none of his guests allowed the weather to disrupt their holiday.
“We have a restaurant and a commonroom so our campers managed to keep themselves entertained. It was a bit rough, but our campers stuck it out and no one left early,” he said.
Rathbone said the only incident to report was a tent which collapsed.
“My guests waited until our offices opened the next morning and we moved them into other accommodation,” Rathbone added.
Camp sites in West Bank and Beacon Bay were deserted yesterday, with only a handful of fishermen out at the water’s edge.
Revellers from Ebuhlanti at Eastern Beach said they had been forced to party in the rain.
“We love this place. It’s a nice picnic spot with braai area but this weekend it was hard to be here,” Siyamthanda Gwatyu said.
“We had to socialise from our car and there are no proper parking spaces. When it rains here then it floods. The municipality really needs to fix this place up and cater for all seasons because we love this place.”
Residential areas were also hit, with Nompumelelo and Duncan Village residents reporting flooding.
Gilden Khohlwa said his cupboards and bed had been wet since Friday, with a damp smell lingering through his house.
Nontombzana Tolana said she was forced to use refuse bags to try to keep rain water out.
“But I couldn’t stop it coming through the holes in the ceiling. Luckily only my bed got wet and I had to turn the mattress over today,” she said.
Goba said no more rain is expected to fall over the rest of the week. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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