South Africa’s Western Cape Province is experiencing its worst drought in over 100 years, with government urging residents to reduce water usage, local news reported on Tuesday.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille declared a “drought disaster’’, after dam levels across the province fell to about 20 per cent and little rainfall was forecast for the coming weeks.
The province would maintain disaster status for at least three months to ensure that taps do not run dry,’’ Zillie said.
The disaster classification enabled the provincial government to manage water services more strictly and re-prioritise public funds.
The last time the Western Cape experienced a drought of the same severity was in 1904.
(NAN)
