People at risk from Vaal flooding warned to evacuate

The department of water & sanitation has warned people living in low-lying areas around the Vaal river to evacuate due to rising water levels. 

A fifth sluice gate was opened on Sunday morning to manage increased levels overnight due to continuing rain in the Vaal river catchment area.

The department warned that with levels having increased to 109.39% and outflows from the Vaal Dam expected to reach the barrage later in the day [Sunday], the overflow will affect infrastructure in lower-lying areas.

Department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa said people living in “areas around the Vaal Triangle, Parys [and] low-lying areas next to the river” needed to evacuate. This included farmers with pumps and infrastructure next to the river and people living below the barrage and near tributaries close to the Vaal river.

“Downstream [from] Bloemhof Dam, the rising water level will affect all those along the Lower Vaal Catchment,” she said.

Mavasa said preparations needed to be made to secure valuable equipment and livestock.

“Those [situated on the banks] of the Vaal river are urged to start removing valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock and to evacuate to avoid any possible damage or loss of life when the riverbanks overtop.”

Mavasa said one sluice gate had been opened at the Grootdraai Dam in Mpumalanga to release water as the dam was 102.41% full on Sunday morning.

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