The National Disaster Management Centre has classified the ongoing drought and the possible large-scale interruption of water supply in parts of South Africa as a national disaster.

Head of the Centre, Dr Elias Sithole, made the declaration in terms of the Disaster Management Act, citing the serious risk to life and essential services in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape.

The classification places responsibility on the National Executive to coordinate and manage the response through existing laws and contingency plans. All organs of state have been instructed to strengthen their disaster response efforts and support existing structures dealing with the crisis.

Government, businesses, communities and individuals are being urged to step up water conservation efforts and comply with any water restrictions in place. Authorities have also been encouraged to implement coordinated plans focused on prevention, mitigation, relief and recovery.

State institutions must submit regular progress reports to the National Disaster Management Centre to monitor response measures.

The classification will be lifted once the situation no longer meets the criteria of a disaster, or if a declared national state of disaster is later ended or allowed to lapse.

READ: More Water in Knysna as Dam Levels Show Slight Improvement