S.Africa Declares Drought A 'national Disaster'

South Africa on Tuesday declared a "national disaster" over a drought that has ravaged parts of the country and threatened to leave homes in Cape Town without running water

Cape Town, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2018 ) :South Africa on Tuesday declared a "national disaster" over a drought that has ravaged parts of the country and threatened to leave homes in Cape Town without running water.

The government said it had elevated the drought to a "national disaster" after reassessing its "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 litres (6.6 US gallons), half the amount allowed now.

At the start of February, the target for personal daily water usage was slashed from 87 litres to 50 litres.