Heat wave closes schools, businesses
Temperature's soar above 40°C in parts of East Cape
EXTREME heat and humidity brought businesses and schools in parts of the Eastern Cape to a standstill yesterday after warnings of “extremely hazardous ” conditions.
The sweltering temperatures also added to the concerns of drought-stricken farmers in the province.
The SA Weather Service advised heavy industry in and around Uitenhage – where the temperature rose to 42°C and the heat discomfort index (HDI) hit a dangerously high 117 at midday – that all hard labour be suspended. In Uitenhage, McCarthy Senior Secondary School principal Justin Marupen said the heat was unbearable by noon, forcing the school to shut a few minutes later.
“Some of the children actually got sick as a result of the heat,” he said. “You could actually see how exhausted they were. The heat was unbearable. “We had to close the school for the health and safety of the children.” Kruisrivier Primary School principal Gavin van Aardt said: “We were forced to close the school early. It was simply too hot.
“We also have to take into consideration that these pupils live on surrounding farms, with many having to walk kilometres in this heat to get home.” Kruisfontein Primary School deputy principal Marden Potgieter said when the temperature reached 43°C in Humansdorp, they sent their pupils home. “You could see how the heat was affecting the little ones,” Potgieter said.
“The teachers couldn’t teach because the pupils couldn’t concentrate and were all sweaty.” Other schools – including Frans Conradie Primary, Rietberg Primary, Sonop Primary and Despatch High – opted to cancel all after-school activities. Other parts of the province were also af fected.
SA Weather Service expert Garth Sampson said when the HDI, which is calculated by combining temperature and humidity, was above the 100 mark all 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 and veld fire warnings were issued.
The highest recorded temperature in the province was in Addo at 45°C with an HDI of 121. Patensie was 44°C with an HDI of 119. Fort Beaufort, Cradock and Graaff- Reinet were in the low 40°Cs, the Bhisho area was 39°C and Grahamstown 38°C. It was cooler in Mthatha at 33°C, Port Elizabeth at 32°C and East London 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, said the last time he had encountered a similar heat wave during a drought was in January and February 1966 and that livestock had died. “We had little rainfall [then]. I hope it does not follow a similar pattern this year, ” Stern said.
He said although some areas had rain recently, it was not enough to break the drought and farmers had to manage their resources better to cope with prolonged dry spells. In Grahamstown, residents of high-lying areas on the west side of town said the hot weather and a week-long water shortage had made life miserable.
High Street coffee shop owner Phil Mc- Dougall, who lives near the army base, said their rainwater tanks at home had run dry and attempts to get them filled by the Makana municipality had failed. He was now using pool water to flush toilets and wash hands.
Municipal spokeswoman Yoliswa Ramokolo said they were battling to deliver water to homes 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 confirmed he had sent out a group SMS to 637 people yesterday, saying that extreme heat and humidity had forced the cancellation of tennis, cricket and ball skills training. Sampson advised that when high temperatures and humidity were experienced, people should stay indoors, drink plenty of fluids and dress in lightweight clothing.
He also warned against leaving children or pets in cars. “The temperature in a motor car can rise to more than 10°C higher than the outside temperature in just 10 minutes, and 20°C in 30 minutes,” he said.
