South Africa prepares for El Niño as dam levels provide temporary buffer

South Africa is preparing for an intense El Niño period, which brings risks of higher temperatures and drier conditions. While national dam levels remain high at approximately 95.5% as of mid-August, experts warn that this should not create a false sense of security due to aging infrastructure and incomplete dam projects.

In the Western Cape, dam levels are notably lower than in other provinces. Specifically, Cape Town’s combined dam capacity is at 77.4%, a decrease of roughly 13 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Although there is no immediate risk to the water supply, the City of Cape Town has warned that the possibility of water restrictions has increased due to below-average rainfall forecasts for the remainder of the winter season.

Agricultural experts and organizations like WaterCan emphasize the need for continuous planning to ensure water supply for both human consumption and farming. While the current high storage levels provide a temporary buffer, the sector may face challenges during the 2027 summer depending on the severity of the weather patterns.