Finally!bucketing rain fills up the dams
Nie Cele
Gladwell Ntusi
Torrential rains that have wreaked havoc in the past week has forced the Department of Water and Sanitation to issue a stern warning to communities at large to relocate from the vicinity of rising rivers and dams.
The department further revealed that for the first time in as many years, the Vaal Dam is expected to be 100% full.
According to the statement issued by Themba Khumalo, Media Liason Officer for the department, the current level for the Vaal Dam stands at 81,6% .
“It is rising fast, thanks to the torrential rains that are falling in most parts of the country,”He said.
The statement also highlighted that, projections by hydrologists in the department, Bloemhof Dam in North West is expected to be 100% full by Saturday and eight sluice gates will be opened to avert the dam from bursting.
The statement further stated that Vaal Dam will open 2 of its sluice gates on Sunday.
Khumalo also reiterated that Despite the rising water levels, the department appeals to South Africans to continue their adherence to water restrictions until further notice.
“Flood warning protocols are being activated to mitigate damage to property and prevent loss of life”.
Did you know?
In the past week parts of South Africa experienced torrential rains due to the Ex-Cyclone Tropical Dineo in KwaZulu-Natal.
Individual dam levels are as follows:
- Albert Falls – 29,36%
- Inanda – 63,59%
- Mearns – 121,83%
- Midmar – 67,45%
- Nagel – 87,45%
- Springrove – 74,55%
Other dam levels are: Molatedi Dam (Groot Marico River) 50%, Hartbeespoort Dam 100% (gates opened) Roodekoppies Dam 106%, all 8 gates open.
This morning, Gariep Dam measured 71,8%, Bloemhof Dam 64,5% and Grootdraai Dam 102% (gates opened).
