Meanwhile farmers in other parts of the province remain desperate for rain to end a prolonged and devastating drought.
Theresa Kennedy of Doringdraai farm near Garies said the scattered showers that occurred during the cloud-burst on Wednesday, 8 January, ranged from about 70mm to over 100mm in less than half an hour.
“The heavy rain caused the Groen and Buffels rivers to flood, washing away roads, fencing and other on-farm infrastructure,” said Kennedy.
The Kennedys, who farm with sheep, were lucky not to suffer major damage to their home or any livestock losses, but their neighbours were not so lucky.
According to Kennedy, a large number of goats were reported dead due to the heavy rain on neighbouring farms, but because of the deterioration of farm roads, farmers in the area have not yet been able to determine the full extent of losses suffered.
She added that the area experienced a good winter rain season in 2013 and as a result the veld was currently in a good condition.
According to Johan van Rensburg, CEO of Agri Northern Cape, towns like Sutherland and Calvinia which are situated near the border between the Western and Northern Cape received downpours of between 20mm and 40mm during the second week of January.
“The central and northern parts of the Northern Cape also received some rain during December, but due to very high daytime temperatures the veld will not benefit from the rain if these areas do not receive follow-up rain before the end of January,” said Van Rensburg said.
“Many parts of the Northern Cape, especially the Boesmanland, remain critically dry.”
Twitter: agri_erasmus
