South Africa drought persists despite May rainfall

Reuters
Lake St Lucia is almost completely dry due to drought conditions in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, northeast of Durban, South Africa February 25, 2016. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's is still suffering the effects of a drought despite increased rainfall in May, leaving dam water levels low and crop supplies scant, the agricultural ministry said on Monday. The persistence of a severe drought across southern Africa will result in widening cereal deficits due to crop failures, the department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said in a statement. The department said rainfall had increased in the first ten days of May but that drought conditions would continue. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by Joe Brock)