#OperationHydrate spreads its reach
The NGO announced it will be delivering water to affected areas in the North West province.
JOHANNESBURG - As the water shortage rock most parts of the country, Operation Hydrate has continued to deliver much needed water to drought-stricken areas like Senekal and QwaQwa in the Free State, where water has been a scarcity for over a month.
Just yesterday, the NGO announced that Swartruggens in the North West, will be the next beneficiary.
Thank you @Shoprite_SA for the transport- We are loading 4 trucks for Swartruggens tomorrow. #OperationHydrate pic.twitter.com/VdU25RjdMJ
- Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 15, 2016
The operation has also called for more water donations and urged citizens to use water sparingly as drought shows no signs of abating.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"
To #OperationHydrate team who are making a diff #Respect 👊 pic.twitter.com/QOD2687lYx
- C Constantinides (@ChangeAgentSA) January 11, 2016
Our nation, with a common goal, living the Madiba Legacy. 👊👍 " @Abramjee: #OperationHydrate Humanity in action! pic.twitter.com/K7bT5V13gj"
Our nation, with a common goal, living the Madiba Legacy. 👊👍 "@Abramjee: #OperationHydrate Humanity in action! pic.twitter.com/K7bT5V13gj"
— C Constantinides (@ChangeAgentSA) January 10, 2016
Water being transported deep into the rural areas near Aliwal North. #OperationHydrate pic.twitter.com/YEx3mokoKC
- Operation Hydrate (@HydrateSA) January 10, 2016
#OperationHydrate needs your help please. Contribute and let's get drinking water to affected areas. @HydrateSA pic.twitter.com/B0QbQOdOkb
- Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 10, 2016
People in Senekal have come running down the road to get water from #OperationHydrate. It's desperately hot here pic.twitter.com/jFrViTQSKO
- Gabi Falanga (@Gabi_Falanga) January 14, 2016
The initiative started after a plea made by residents of Senekal, who ration 40 litres a day given by the municipality.
The NGO started as a call to the public to drop containers of water off at various points around Gauteng.
Corporate companies like Mango Airlines, Shoprite and Volkswagen SA joined in the efforts.
Earlier this week, the organisation got even more tankers of water to be sent to Senekal.
The NGO, together with corporate companies aim to deliver over 1,5 million litres of drinking water to areas which have been hardest hit.
Each tanker has the capacity for 10,000 litres and it said some communities in the Free State have resorted to drinking sewerage water.
It said the situation on the ground is distressing as people and communities are desperate for drinking water.
There have also been calls for national and provincial government to help communities who have little or no water.
Water arrives at Senekal! Support #OperationHydrate, make a difference! Retweet @Abramjee @ProudlySA @YusufOmarSA pic.twitter.com/erqfInpCCC
Water arrives at Senekal! Support #OperationHydrate, make a difference! Retweet @Abramjee @ProudlySA @YusufOmarSA pic.twitter.com/erqfInpCCC
— Mango Airlines (@FlyMangoSA) January 8, 2016
Team 2 All loaded #OperationHydrate on its way @yaseentheba @Abramjee @FlyMangoSA pic.twitter.com/mf80Hl8vXa
- salmaan bbm notices (@SBbmnotices) January 8, 2016
Taps have also run dry in Mookgopong (Naboomspruit) #OperationHydrate is arranging a few loads of water. @HydrateSA pic.twitter.com/BuXm0K1J7R
- Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 15, 2016
#OperationHydrate will reach the 1-million water distribution target tomorrow. Thank you SA. @yaseentheba @Abramjee pic.twitter.com/LgiB8LrWAb
- Operation Hydrate (@HydrateSA) January 15, 2016
@HydrateSA @Abramjee #OperationHydrate #senekal pic.twitter.com/X5WTq8ad1s
- Hein Kaiser (@heinkaiser) January 14, 2016
2015 THE DRIEST YEAR
The South African Weather Service has confirmed the 2015 calendar year was the driest year the country has experienced in 111 years.
The service says it has compared compiled data of yearly rainfall from January to December each year since records began.
In the last couple of months drought conditions across the country have seen a sharp increase in the price of maize as farmers struggle to meet demand.
Forecasters say while it's anticipated that South Africa will experience lower than normal rainfall this year, the situation could change at any point.
The weather service's Else de Jager said, "We've complied data from every province then combined that to have an average annual rainfall for South Africa and we can confirm that from January to December 2015 the total was the lowest rainfall."
God is good pic.twitter.com/r0uxnRQ8ND
- #StopAlbinoKillings (@kuliroberts) January 14, 2016
@FlyMangoSA @heinkaiser What an incredibly fulfilling day. Thank u pic.twitter.com/ISadjJZ3KL
- #StopAlbinoKillings (@kuliroberts) January 14, 2016
Supporting #OperationHydrate. Join us South Africa and let's help those in need. Thanks to all who came out today! pic.twitter.com/UgG0CBlabn
- Mango (@FlyMangoSA) January 14, 2016
members of #OperationHydrate and @FlyMangoSA now distributing at Senekal primary school @Abramjee @yaseentheba pic.twitter.com/FLW1tiEFVy
members of #OperationHydrate and @FlyMangoSA now distributing at Senekal primary school @Abramjee @yaseentheba pic.twitter.com/FLW1tiEFVy
— #OperationHydrate (@HydrateSA) January 14, 2016
#OperationHydrate distribution in Senekal. @FlyMangoSA @Abramjee @heinkaiser @yaseentheba pic.twitter.com/8Kpef6liA0
- Operation Hydrate (@HydrateSA) January 14, 2016