The Western Cape is facing its first “full-scale disaster”as a severe drought shows signs of worsening in the Eden District in the southern Cape.
Local government MEC Anton Bredell told journalists in Cape Town on Wednesday that the province has recommended the district be declared a disaster area.
“We are facing a big disaster,”Bredell said. “I think it will be the first full-scale disaster that will hit the Western Cape if circumstances keep on deteriorating as we expect. The prediction is that it will get warmer rather than wetter.
“We as a Cabinet decided to recommend to the National Disaster Management Team that we declare the region a disaster area. We have to prevent George,Knysna and Mossel Bay from running out of water. We are especially concerned about George.”
The province has received R53m from the government to fight the drought in the region. “This is so big that we as a provincial government can’t tackle this alone,”Bredell said. “National government has stepped in and the department of water affairs has stepped in to help. We are very grateful.”
Bredell has written to mayors of the municipalities in the region,requesting them to cut water consumption by 30%.
