NPR

Drought-Stricken Cape Town Braces For Water To Run Out In April

Officials in the South African city of 3.7 million are restricting water usage amid fears it will run out of water by April 21. Experts say the crisis has been exacerbated by rapid population growth.
People collect drinking water from pipes fed by an underground spring last week in Cape Town. Next month, the city will slash its individual daily water consumption limit to 13.2 gallons, the mayor said, as the city battles its worst drought in a century.

Cape Town officials are tightening water restrictions amid claims the city could run out of water by April 21. After three years of intensive drought, officials say residents are bracing for "Day Zero," the day water could stop flowing.

South Africa's second-largest city would be the first major city in the developed world to run out of water, if residents do

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR1 min readAmerican Government
Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Classified Documents Case Is Delayed Indefinitely By Judge
The classified documents trial had been scheduled to begin May 20. But months of delays had slowed the case as prosecutors pushed for the trial to begin before the November presidential election
NPR2 min read
Toxic Culture Is The Norm At The FDIC, Outside Review Cites 500 Employee Complaints
A law firm investigation of the FDIC documents a toxic workplace culture where hundreds of employees complained of sexual harassment, discrimination and other misconduct.
NPR2 min readInternational Relations
Nebraska Republican Brings Resolution To Censure Ilhan Omar
This comes after recent remarks Omar gave on a college campus where she referred to Jewish students not engaging in an anti-Israel protest "pro-genocidal."

Related Books & Audiobooks