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Call to use water sparingly: parts of Western Cape record lowest rainfall

GCIS / SAnewsRef: GOVNEWS-83280 at https://www.sanews.gov.za

Official source

Source domain: sanews.gov.za

Collected on 3 August 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 2 August 2026)Official source

What this means

This SAnews article reports preliminary rainfall data from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) showing that parts of the south-western Western Cape recorded their lowest rainfall on record in July 2026. Cape Town International Airport recorded 14.4 mm, the lowest since 1958 and about 16% of the average, with the previous record being 18.0 mm in 1987. SAWS warns that below-normal rainfall is likely to continue into the first week of August and encourages the public to use water sparingly, citing expected strengthening El Niño and uncertainty about the 2027 winter rainfall season.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

public water-conservation guidanceOngoing

Encouragement to use water sparingly in the coming months

The public is encouraged to use water sparingly in the coming months because below-normal rainfall is expected to continue and there is uncertainty about rainfall during the 2027 winter season.

Who it is for
the public in the Western Cape, especially the south-western Cape
How to act on it
Follow the public guidance to use water sparingly in the coming months.
Show the line this came from
Given the current uncertainty regarding rainfall during the 2027 winter season, the public is encouraged to use water sparingly in the coming months,

Facts

Places

Western Cape, City of Cape Town

Reference

GOVNEWS-83280 at https://www.sanews.gov.za

Key Takeaways

  • Preliminary rainfall data by SAWS
  • Date of article: Sunday, 2 August 2026
  • Lowest rainfall on record in July 2026 for parts of south-western Western Cape
  • Cape Town International Airport rainfall: 14.4 mm
  • Cape Town lowest since 1958
  • Cape Town average comparison: ~16% of average
  • Previous record at Cape Town: 18.0 mm in 1987
  • Below-normal rainfall expected to continue into first week of August
  • Public encouraged to use water sparingly
  • El Niño expected to strengthen; warmer-than-normal summer expected
  • Uncertainty about 2027 winter rainfall
  • South African Weather Service (SAWS)
  • Cape Town International Airport
  • Western Cape
  • Cape Town
  • El Niño
  • Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
  • SAnews
  • Roze Britz
  • Janine Arcangeli
  • Zanele Mngadi

Dates

Opening Date

2 August 2026

Closing Date

2 August 2026