The current heatwave that has escalated the drought situation in parts of South Africa is a crucial reminder that the country is not out of the woods yet when it comes to water shortages, the department of water and sanitation said on Thursday.
It said the dire situation in the Northern Cape province should be a constant reminder that South Africa was a water scarce country.
The South African Weather Services encouraged people in the north-eastern provinces to keep hydrated and take care of their animals as the next couple of days are going to be ‘very hot’.
Its going to be a hot to very hot few days over the north-eastern provinces. Keep hydrated and take care of your animals. https://t.co/c11ei93gCP
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) October 24, 2019
The department noted that the latest reports showed some of the country’s dams had less than a third of water, with Kalkfontein sitting at 23.7 percent while Groothoek was at 30.2 percent and Rustfontein at 25.9 percent.
“The department of water and sanitation always appeals to communities to use water sparingly and to report water leaks outside of the household,” it said.
“Residence should also pay for the very important services that they receive.”
– ANA, editing by Stella Mapenzauswa
