South Africa declared on Tuesday that the drought that has gripped large parts of the country, forcing drastic household water cuts, was now a “national disaster.”
The government said it made the decision after reassessing the drought’s “magnitude and severity”.
Cape Town is in the grip of a three-year-long drought as sparse winter rains have failed to bring relief, and dam levels have dropped dangerously low.
Rains over the weekend raised hopes that the situation would improve, but the downpours were neither heavy nor long enough to have an impact on the situation.
The statement, published in the official government gazette, means that the national government is now responsible for tackling the issue and ensuring relief efforts.
South Africa’s second city is now facing the prospect of having to turn its taps off under a so-called “Day Zero” scenario to conserve the city’s remaining water supplies.
Most Cape Town residents would be forced to queue at communal taps at 200 water points – likely under police or military guard – to collect a daily ration of 25 liters, half the amount allowed now.
At the start of February, the target for personal daily water usage was slashed from 87 liters to 50 liters.
It is hoped that usage cuts will buy the city time to find a solution – or for the rains of the southern winter to refill depleted dams. Reducing household use, which accounts for 70 percent of water consumption, has been prioritized over slashing industry’s usage.
The widespread drought has gripped swathes of the nation’s south and west. Meanwhile, the drought facing Cape Town is the worst in 100 years.
