According to the statement issued by Water and Sanitation's spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, last week's report shows that water levels in the Free State amounted to 105,4% of water storage. Ratau says that the Rustfontein Dam and Groothoek Dam, feeding Bloemfontein, were sitting at 119.3% and 102.8% respectively. He says the Welbedacht Dam, which also feeds the Bloemfontein community, reached a water capacity of 100.4%. While the Sterkfontein Dam sat at 102.3% and the Bloemhof Dam at 108%, the Allemanskraal Dam was at 98.8% and the Erfenis Dam showed a slight increase from 100.3% a few weeks ago to about 111%. He also adds that the great Gariep Dam recorded a small decrease to 103.1% from its previous 103.2%.

The Kalkfontein Dam at Koffiefontein reached 110.98% on Wednesday last week. 

Ratau stated that the department will continue to monitor all dams and release some of the water where necessary to relieve pressure from the dams. He also stated that water levels are expected to increase sharply in rivers and dams due to current rainfall in many parts of the country. However, Ratau cautioned that water should continue to be used sparingly as the country is still dry and water-scarce.

Also read: Warning of possible floods in Free State and North West

The Free State and North West recently suffered damages to its road infrastructure as a result of the floods.

OFM News previously reported that the S44 road between Heilbron and Deneysville in the Free State had to be temporarily closed due to the impact of heavy rainfall after some layers of the road were washed away and needed fixing. Meanwhile, the overflow of water in some parts of the country continues to cause concern as family members of the victims of floods in KwaZulu-Natal are still reeling from the devastating loss of lives and properties. Over 400 people have since been declared dead due to the floods, with many still missing.

The Katse Dam in Lesotho, bordering the Free State, is Africa's second largest double-curvature arch dam. The dam is part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, and is currently also overflowing.  PHOTO: Lesley Barnard

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