Drought declared a national disaster across three provinces

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department has declared the drought affecting the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape a national disaster.

Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell says the national drought disaster declaration will allow for a more focused response. Water restrictions are already in place in several Western Cape municipalities as dam levels continue to drop.

MEC Bredell's spokesperson, Wouter Kriel, says the disaster declaration will also improve coordination across all spheres of government and between departments. Kriel added that more measures are needed to strengthen and speed up the coordinated response.

"Minister Bredell welcomes the national drought disaster declaration for the Western Cape province, with our dam levels at a low 50%, together with the South African Weather Service predicting below-average rainfall this winter season," Kriel said. "We need to act proactively and make a concerted effort to manage inside our available water resources now."