Lockdown 470

Lockdown Day 470 - 9 July 2021

Yesterday's scorcher of a hot day ended even worse with a storm of epic proportions including the most vicious of sea winds accompanied by sporadic raindrops. We woke up this morning to a crisp clear sky and a freezing, but strong breeze. Sadly, the ground showed no sign of the rain of last night. The last time I experienced such weather, it ended up snowing.

Snow Report SA's latest post confirms snowfall in the following regions:  Sutherland/Calvinia, Montagu/Cederberg (incl. Tulbagh and Franschhoek), Prins Albert/Oudtshoorn and Uniondale/Storms River, recording an average of 10cm snow. More snow is also expected for Lesotho, other western Cape areas and even Namibia.

Wondering whether the Langkloof (Uniondale at the top of this 160km gorge) has ever had snow, I decided to do some research. It seems the Langkloof often reports snow during the winter months and they actually had some snow in August 2020. 

But 10cm of snow over a 10 km² area equals only 25mm water runoff.  So, to fill the Kouga dam with snow melt, an unprecedented amount and depth of snowfall will have to occur all over the Langkloof. 

Looking at all the footage and maps of Langkloof, I realise only God can do this. This has been a daunting drought which has not let up and, through this pandemic, made things even harder for all the farmers producing quality fruit, vegetables and honeybush (used in tea, food and cosmetics). They also had to wither an extremely damaging hail storm in January this year, which caused a 70-90% loss of crops.

So tonight I commit to daily prayer for the Langkloof and PE for dams full of rain and the restoration of the rain cycle. I ask forgiveness for all that humankind has done and deperately believe He can answer this prayer if we all stand together. Our prayers and our faith is not locked down. Neither is the rain that comes from Heaven. 

#God's got this.