News Leak Centre

No Fear No Favour

Indian Cricketers told “Not to take more than 2 mins in shower” as Cape Town faces water scarcity

It is said that the next world war will be fought for water, and we’re seeing the result cropping up as Cape Town, South Africa’s capital has seen a restriction on the ground, and the visitor, Indian cricket team, is also facing the brunt of the same.

The pitch in South Africa’s Cape Town is green, but the city dons a deserted look as the city faces a level 6 water restriction. So, as team India reached Cape Town, the first order they got is not to use the shower for more than 2 minutes. Facing the serious water scarcity in the country, the government has taken several steps to conserve water and this being one of their lists.

With many being in the Indian team hailing from areas with water problems being a major issue, they understand the severity of the situation, but as of now, they are not quite timing their baths of now.

The unusually dry winter, the dipping underground water level to a dangerous level is the cause of worry for the South African government letting them to put a level 6 water restrictions. A step to make resident learn every drop count.

In such times, Cape Town sees the irony of calling the Test between the top two teams a “mouth-watering contest”. “When you have to worry about something as important as water, it’s difficult to spare some mind space for sports,” says Nsiangi, a one-time Newlands regular who will not be there for the game, reports The Indian Express.

Though the city is facing acute water shortage, the city hasn’t witnessed any incident of riots, but the situation is volatile.

According to the Indian Express report, Experts in the local media are painting a grim picture of Cape Town. They aren’t seen as alarmists when they talk about the impending ‘Zero Day’ in April when all taps will run dry and how Cape Town may end up as the first city in the modern world to become waterless.

With the city council approving just 87 litres per person per day or 10,000 litres for a month, Cape Town Airbnb owners are slightly worried about the reviews they will receive in the coming days.
The Cape Town City authorities have their eye on every drop of water that’s potable. The Level 6 means drinking water cannot be used for things like plants, hosing paved ways, play-pools. Borewells and well points now need to be registered with the city. They need to have signages that should be visible from the street. Failure to follow the Level 6 water restriction would result in a fine that would be as high as 10,000 rands (a little over Rs 51,000).

Finally, Cape Town’s crisis and the ongoing awareness campaign about sustainable methods to save water have thrown up some interesting trivia. Did you know a single flush uses five glasses of drinking water?

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