Measures taken to regulate the dams was explained by department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa .

 On Saturday (26/4), outflows at the Bloemhof Dam were increased from 3,000m³/s to 3,200m³/s to manage inflows from upper catchments. Mavasa highlighted that inflows from six tributaries, including the Klip, Rietspruit, and Suikerbosrand rivers above the Barrage Dam, as well as the Renoster, Mooi, and Vals rivers upstream of the Bloemhof Dam, are contributing to the rising water levels.

Water releases at dams. Photo: Facebook.

The Bloemhof Dam was at sitting at 112.88% as on Saturday morning. “Ten sluice gates remain open at the Vaal Dam, with water levels sitting at 120.69% and inflows of 2,114.48 m³/s from the upper catchments. “These adjustments are necessary to manage the continuous rising inflows and the safe operation of the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams. With more inflows anticipated into the dams, especially downstream into the Bloemhof Dam, outflows may be increased again as and when necessary,” Mavasa said.

Mavasa added that two sluice gates remain open at the Grootdraai Dam, with one at 3 meters and the second at 1 meter. The storage level of the dam stood at 110.58% as of Saturday morning. Meanwhile, in the Orange River, the Gariep and Vandekloof dams were at 109.29% and 106.54%, respectively, both overspilling.

“The controlled and uncontrolled water releases at all these dams are leading to overtopping of riverbanks downstream of the Orange and Vaal Rivers, resulting in flooding of settlements in lower-lying areas within the 1-in-100-year flood line,” she said.

Mavasa urged residents in flood-prone areas downstream of the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams to remain vigilant. “People living within the flood line downstream of the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams have had to evacuate and are urged to continue to avoid the flooded areas as the river catchment remains oversaturated,” she said.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi lh