Large parts of South Africa, including severely affected areas in the Western Cape, have been classified as a national disaster by the national government as prolonged drought conditions threaten water supplies across the country.

The declaration, made under the Disaster Management Act of 2002, unlocks emergency funding and enables coordinated relief efforts for communities and municipalities grappling with critical water shortages.

In the Western Cape, Knysna, Kannaland and Beaufort West are at high risk, with Knysna having only days of water left according to recent reports. Medium-risk areas include George, Bitou, parts of Langeberg (Robertson and Bonnievale), Swellendam, Prince Albert, Matzikama and Cederberg.

Cape Town authorities have urged residents to reduce water consumption as dam levels continue to drop, raising fears of a return to “Day Zero” conditions similar to the 2018 water crisis.

The Eastern Cape is also experiencing a deepening water crisis, with dams running dry and water restrictions looming for Nelson Mandela Bay. The Impofu Dam, a crucial water source for the region, is at 42.6% capacity.

A national disaster declaration is issued by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs when a disastrous event occurs or threatens to occur in more than one province.

The classification mobilises resources for relief efforts, enables the implementation of practical measures to support affected communities and businesses, and improves coordination between national, provincial and local governments. It also allows for emergency funding to be allocated to affected municipalities.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has already reprioritised R20 million in water services infrastructure grants to Knysna and is providing technical capacity to develop groundwater resources in affected areas.

The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape has welcomed the national disaster classification for drought, describing it as a necessary step toward coordinated relief and recovery.

Dave Bryant, DA Western Cape spokesperson on local government, environmental affairs and development planning, said the classification was critical to unlocking additional resources and supporting communities, farmers and local governments dealing with severe water shortages amid tight municipal budgets.

ALSO READ: Western Cape faces twin crisis as Minister seeks disaster declaration for drought and wildfires

“The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the national disaster classification on drought as a necessary step toward coordinated relief and recovery,” said Bryant.

However, the DA has called on the national government to act with urgency and classify the wildfires that have affected the Western Cape this summer as a disaster.

“These fires have wreaked havoc on infrastructure, agricultural land and rural economies, and substantial support will be needed to repair the damage done,” Bryant said.

The DA noted that the Western Cape government and DA-run municipalities have shown that proactive governance, planning and investment make a real difference in protecting residents from the worst effects of disasters.

Bryant expressed concern about other provinces where governments remain “significantly below the Western Cape standard in drought mitigation planning and disaster management”.

The party called for every sphere of government to work together to strengthen cooperative governance and ensure that government and communities are able to respond to disasters urgently and effectively.