South Africa grapples with worst drought in 30 years

South Africa is facing one of the worst droughts to hit the region in 30 years. Many small farmers are expected to go out of business as food production and prices increase, especially in the Free State province.

According to the South African Weather Services, the drought, blamed on extreme weather system El Nino, is the worst to hit the country since 1982. Although El Nino is a natural cycle that scientists have observed for many years, they have little doubt that climate change is also a factor in the lack of rain.

The government has declared five of its nine provinces drought disaster areas for agriculture.


Tue 1 Dec 2015 at 12:26