Cape Town braces for heat, fires and water stress as very strong El Niño develops

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As an exceptionally strong El Niño looms, Cape Town prepares for heightened threats of extreme heat, wildfires, and water shortages, alongside global efforts…

A very strong El Niño, expected by the World Meteorological Organisation to become the most powerful on record by December, could compound the risks of extreme heat, wildfires and water shortages facing Cape Town over the coming summer months.

The city has acknowledged that its early warning systems do not necessarily reach all residents, particularly those living in informal settlements and people facing barriers to accessing digital information.

This comes as C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors, has launched a taskforce to strengthen urban preparedness for extreme weather, with the ambition of having effective early warning systems and emergency response plans in place across all 97 member cities by the end of 2027.

Cape Town was named among six cities whose mayors established the new taskforce, alongside Curitiba, Paris, Quezon City, Miami and Mumbai.

But the city has clarified that its membership of the taskforce has not yet been formally established and will be explored through ongoing engagements with C40.

In response to questions, city spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said forecasts and recent briefings from the Western Cape government indicated elevated risks of above-average temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, increased fire danger, below-average rainfall and growing pressure on water resources over the coming summer months.

According to C40, the initiative aims to make early warning systems a basic standard of protection for people living in some of the world's largest cities, ensuring residents receive timely alerts about approaching dangers and that authorities have practical plans to protect lives, homes and livelihoods.

The potential to save lives is significant. C40 cited WMO data showing that countries with comprehensive early warning systems covering most of their populations experience nearly six times fewer disaster-related deaths than those with limited coverage.

The initiative comes as the El Niño threatens to disrupt weather patterns…

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