Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) said the restrictions would begin on Friday and probably last until the arrival of summer rains expected around October.
Under the measure, there will be no mains water for four days a week. Residents will collect water from mobile tanks instead. "This is because of the dire drought situation which has decreased water levels at the Hawane Dam," said SWSC spokeswoman Nomahlubi Matiwane.
She said water levels in the dam had dropped from 15% of capacity in the last few weeks to just 9%.
Swaziland is one of a number of countries in southern Africa that have been badly hit by El Nino - a weather phenomenon that is centered on the countries in the Pacific but can affect other regions as well. In February, dry conditions gripping the agricultural sector prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.
Water resources in the impoverished country of 1.2 million people have more than halved, contributing to higher food prices and poor crops.
Last month aid organisations estimated that El Nino had affected 12.3 million people across southern Africa.
Source: AFP
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
