Queues at Cape Town water collection point

Residents of Cape Town queue to collect water at a collection point during the city's prolonged drought.

Local reports suggest that Cape Town is gripped by water panic, with residents stocking up in case of severe shortages ahead of Day Zero - when authorities say they will be forced to turn off most taps - on April 16.

In video filmed this afternoon (February 1) at the Newlands collection point, where the public can collect free water, residents queue to fill containers full of water next to a sign that reads: "25L per person per fill."

The residents are collecting water to supplement the 50 litres per person per day limit.