The latest United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report confirmed by historical drying trend over especially the extreme western parts of South Africa, said Dr Andries Kruger, the chief climate scientist from the South African Weather Service.

‘On the other hand, with a warming atmosphere, the air can hold more moisture [water vapour]. Therefore short-term rainfall episodes are likely to become more extreme, with a probability of higher 24-hour rainfall amounts,’ he said.