The Eastern Cape region of South Africa experienced a severe multi-year drought from 2015 through early 2020. The drought was one of the worst in the region's history and led the South African government to declare the region a "disaster area" in October 2019. The drought was a recurrence of the 1992 Eastern Cape Drought, which had resulted from similar weather patterns.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying Eastern Cape drought alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
See what is happening right now on the live world incident map, browse every droughts we track on the Drought tracker, or follow live incidents in South Africa.