'Disaster area': South Africa drought means worst water shortage for 113 years

A drought disaster has been declared in the Western Cape province, South Africa.

The area is facing its worst water shortage in more than a century.

The alert will last for three months but could be extended if the crisis persists, provincial leader Helen Zille said in a statement.

Water will be harvested by drilling boreholes to serve key points like hospitals in Cape Town, she added.

According to UN estimates, more than 40 million people have been affected by a drought caused by the El Nino climate phenomenon.

"The disaster declaration will accelerate... the province's strategy to ensure that taps do not run dry," Zille said.

Dry reservoirs

Plans have been formed to tap into natural aquifer under Cape Town’s Table Mountain using a mobile desalination plant.

Zille said the disaster declaration will mean that authorities in the province can prioritise public funds for drought relief operations.

Two reservoirs in the Western Cape region are already completely dry, according to officials.

Residents have been urged to use no more than 100 litres (22 gallons) of water a day.