drought Archives - Page 2 of 8

Visionary leadership needed to handle the emerging long-term water crisis

The panic that emerged after Day Zero was announced was instrumental in getting Capetonians to cut water consumption substantially - but a water-saving programme driven by fear is not sustainable. This is the view of Gina Ziervogel, an associate professor at UCT's Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, one of the presenters at the Adaptation Futures 2018 conference in the city last week. SPECIAL REPORT: Water Crisis Interviewed on the […]

27 June 2018

Local

Saving water remains crucial: Zille

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has warned that the water crisis is not over yet. Zille was speaking at a water conference underway in Cape Town. Various experts from the Southern Africa have gathered in Cape Town for a four day conference to discuss ways of co-operation in an ongoing efforts to save water. The conference of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) takes place under the theme “Breaking […]

26 June 2018

News

CT disaster management gears up for heavy downpours

As the City continues to fight the scourge of drought, Cape Town may have some relief with heavy downpours expected this week. The South African Weather Services has advised the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre that cold conditions and heavy downpours can be expected over the next few days. Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, said rain is possible over the Overberg District and the City of Cape Town […]

23 May 2018

Local

Sudden CT morning rain plays havoc with traffic on wet roads

A cold front that brought heavy overnight rain to Cape Town has not resulted in significant flooding says a City official, but traffic has been heavy on the roads. "It's just been a normal winter rainfall for the city. There's no flooding at this stage," Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the City's disaster risk management centre told News24. The centre has been conducting preparatory exercises ahead of the winter rainy season […]

8 May 2018

Local

Rain floods Cape Town roads as cold front hits – with more rain expected

Overnight rain in parched Cape Town has resulted in flash flooding and the closure of some roads in the city. "I don't have much information for you. I only [know] about flooding in Koeberg Road," provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa told News24. He said that the Huguenot Tunnel was closed for traffic due to a power failure. The City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre said multiple roads were […]

26 April 2018

News

AMA launches water project to assist drought stricken areas

With South Africa in the midst of its worst drought in over a century, Africa Muslims Agency (AMA) has launched Quench SA, an effort to bring water relief to thousands of South Africans who are facing water shortages. On Tuesday, 13 March, the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Zweli Mkhize has declared the drought crisis across the country a national disaster. The Western Cape, Eastern Cape and […]

10 April 2018

Local

Drought impact already reflects in Cape Town hotel bookingsurvey

An informal survey by Wesgro among 18 hotels in Cape Town reflects the impact the water challenge in the city already has on the hospitality sector. Wesgro is the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape and the results of the survey were mentioned during a presentation at an event the agency hosted recently. The hotels surveyed indicated that they did between 10% […]

26 March 2018

Local

Cape farmers lose 25% of orchards, vineyards as result of drought: expert

Drought-stricken farmers in the Western Cape have had to abandon at least a quarter of their high-value vineyards and deciduous fruit orchards because of a lack of water for irrigation. This has had a knock-on effect on rural employment, with the loss of about 30 000 seasonal farm worker jobs during the harvest season, UCT Professor Mark New has said. New, the director of UCT’s African Climate and Development Initiative, […]

22 March 2018

Local

Cape Town may avoid Day Zero: Maimane

Cape Town may not see Day Zero – at least in 2018. That’s according to Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane, addressing media on Thursday afternoon on the current status of the drought in the Western Cape. “Each week, the water consumption steadily dropped, and we were able to push back Day Zero by days, and then weeks, and then months. I am therefore happy to announce today that provided we […]

7 March 2018

drought

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