Hello Csaba,  it is well ...

Hello Csaba,  it is well known that coal fired power stations do add significant CO2 to the atmosphere, one of the causes of climate change.  Even the newer power stations that are being constructed with de-sulphurization of the stack gas do not remove CO2.  So yes, there is a link due to climate change.  However it is difficult to quantify and establish direct links.  Some will say there have always been periods of flooding and drought, and we need to expect this.  Even the South Africa's National Development Plan finalised in 2012 identified Cape Town as being vulnerable and would need additional water resources by 2017.  So probably the fact that this is one of the worst droughts experienced in that part of South Africa can be attributed to both natural climatic occurrences and climate change factors.  Population growth and hence demand for water resources has also increased, making it more of a challenge to manage drought conditions and exacerbating the effects of drought. Ultimately though climate change does result in an increase in the frequency and severity of these natural occurrences, as evidenced all over the planet.  Cape Town and the the Western Cape is experiencing its severity due to the concentrated population of the area, and the fact that almost all surface and easily accessible groundwater resources have already been exploited, leaving only alternative technologies such as desalination and sewage reclamation at higher cost for future water security.