Extreme heat and humidity brought businesses in parts of the Eastern Cape to a standstill yesterday, after warnings were issued that it was “extremely hazardous” for hard labour to continue.
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) advised heavy industry in and around Uitenhage and other parts of the province that all hard labour be suspended until it cooled down, after the heat discomfort index (HDI) rose to a dangerously high 117 at midday.
SAWS expert Garth Sampson said yesterday when the HDI, which is calculated by combining temperature and humidity, was above the 100 mark hard labour and school sport should be suspended.
At least a dozen areas in the province, including Grahamstown, Fort Beaufort, Bhisho and Cradock, recorded an HDI of over 100 at noon yesterday, and veld fire warnings were issued.
The highest recorded temperature in the province was a scorching 45°C in Addo, which had an HDI of 121.
Patensie was at 44°C with an HDI of 119 and Uitenhage was at 42°C.
Fort Beaufort, Cradock and Graaff-Reinet were in the low 40s, the Bhisho area was 39°C, and Grahamstown 38°C.
It was cooler in Mthatha at 33°C, and East London was at 31°C.
Although the hot weather is expected to continue today, Sampson said it would start cooling towards evening and rain was expected later in the week.
Agri EC head Dougie Stern, who farms sheep and cattle near Graaff-Reinet, told the Dispatch yesterday the last time he encountered a similar heatwave during a drought was in January and February in 1966, and that livestock had died.
Grahamstown municipal spokeswoman Yoliswa Ramokolo said yesterday they were battling to deliver water to residents, hit by a week-long shortage, as they only had two tankers.
She said the problem was caused by a faulty pump at Howisonspoort that they had been battling to repair.
She also warned water restrictions would be imposed in the town.
Graeme College headmaster Kevin Watson sent out a group SMS yesterday, saying that “extreme heat and humidity” had forced the cancellation of sport activity. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Businesses close during heatwave
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) advised heavy industry in and around Uitenhage and other parts of the province that all hard labour be suspended until it cooled down, after the heat discomfort index (HDI) rose to a dangerously high 117 at midday.
SAWS expert Garth Sampson said yesterday when the HDI, which is calculated by combining temperature and humidity, was above the 100 mark hard labour and school sport should be suspended.
At least a dozen areas in the province, including Grahamstown, Fort Beaufort, Bhisho and Cradock, recorded an HDI of over 100 at noon yesterday, and veld fire warnings were issued.
The highest recorded temperature in the province was a scorching 45°C in Addo, which had an HDI of 121.
Patensie was at 44°C with an HDI of 119 and Uitenhage was at 42°C.
Fort Beaufort, Cradock and Graaff-Reinet were in the low 40s, the Bhisho area was 39°C, and Grahamstown 38°C.
It was cooler in Mthatha at 33°C, and East London was at 31°C.
Although the hot weather is expected to continue today, Sampson said it would start cooling towards evening and rain was expected later in the week.
Agri EC head Dougie Stern, who farms sheep and cattle near Graaff-Reinet, told the Dispatch yesterday the last time he encountered a similar heatwave during a drought was in January and February in 1966, and that livestock had died.
Grahamstown municipal spokeswoman Yoliswa Ramokolo said yesterday they were battling to deliver water to residents, hit by a week-long shortage, as they only had two tankers.
She said the problem was caused by a faulty pump at Howisonspoort that they had been battling to repair.
She also warned water restrictions would be imposed in the town.
Graeme College headmaster Kevin Watson sent out a group SMS yesterday, saying that “extreme heat and humidity” had forced the cancellation of sport activity. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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