South Africa’s drought-stricken city of Cape Town has pushed its estimate ‘‘Day Zero’’ from April 16 to May 11. According to the reports stated by authorities, this has happened due to the decline in agricultural water usage. The “Day Zero” when people will be experiencing no water because of a long drought has been pushed by nearly a month now.

Many farms in Western Cape Province have used up water supplies allocated to them. Municipal officials, however, hold that the city residents must stick to regulations requiring them to use fewer than 50 liters per person daily to avoid the tap closure. The Deputy Mayor Neilson further warned that the fall did not spell an end to water restrictions in the city. He said in a recent statement, “Capetonians must continue reducing consumption if we are to avoid Day Zero. There has not been any significant decline in urban usage.”

From Cape Town’s elegant suburbs to its courageous townships, people are definitely working hard to reduce their water consumption. With the horrific date being postponed, the citizens have some ray of hope. If the city can delay this date further, say to the end of the June, the citizens might be saved by seasonal rains which normally occur during that time proceeding to South African winter.

“I am confident we can beat this. Everything is heading in the right direction. It’s a great relief to us,” the Deputy Mayor adds. The city nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and a spectacular mountain ridge is a major tourist attraction and the second biggest city in South Africa, with nearly four million residents. Well, the latest delay in Day Zero is a proof that it can be defeated. And we largely wish that “Day Zero” never arrives in the city.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 06, 2018 02:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).