Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, has urged residents residing alongside the floodlines of the Vaal River to evacuate the world and people who have already performed so not to return to their properties.
Majodina, accompanied by Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, carried out a website go to to the Vaal Dam on Wednesday to evaluate the situation of water useful resource infrastructure following important inflows into the dam as a result of persistent rainfall throughout the Vaal River Catchment.
Weak
The Minister was joined by Rand Water Chairperson Ramateu Monyokolo and Chief Government Officer Sipho Mosai, and the provincial heads of Gauteng, Free State, and North West, Justice Maluleke, Tseliso Ntili, and Luxolo Mditshane, respectively.
Majodina warned that low-lying areas downstream of the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams, stay weak because of the launch of water by means of open sluice gates, that are getting used to handle water ranges.
“Throughout heavy rains and excessive inflows into dams, the division implement flood administration protocols by means of managed water releases to make sure the security of water useful resource infrastructure (dams and barrages); safety of downstream communities as such, minimise lack of human lives and livelihoods, destruction of property and disruption of providers; and to make sure that the dams are full on the finish of the flood season,” Majodina stated.
Since 3 March 2025, the Division of Water and Sanitation has been step by step releasing water from each dams by means of sluice gates and valves to keep up structural integrity and scale back flood threat.
Presently, 5 sluice gates at each the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams have been opened to handle the elevated inflows.
Entry to potable water
Talking from the Vaal Dam wall, Majodina assured the general public that bulk water provide stays secure, and that the division is working carefully with the municipalities to handle water reticulation to make sure that the residents of South Africa have entry to potable water from their faucets.
The Minister warned residents who encroach upon flood strains to maneuver to a secure space and to take away useful gear, together with movable infrastructure, and livestock.
She appealed to non secular teams and most people to keep away from giant our bodies of water, as robust currents pose important hazard.
“We need to make a plea and powerful warning to folks on the flood line; it will not be raining in your space, however due to the tributaries that stream into the dam, excessive volumes of water may attain your locality and wash away your properties. We additionally name on church buildings to concentrate on the risks of robust tides because of the open gates.
“Water currents aren’t all the time seen on the floor and might be tough to detect, making them hazardous. As we strategy Easter, allow us to be cautious relating to water actions that will endanger lives,” the Minister suggested.
Mahlobo stated residing close to giant our bodies of water was visually interesting; nonetheless, there was a boundary that shouldn’t be crossed for security causes.
“A flood line has a crimson line that shouldn’t be crossed, and when water volumes improve, there’s a threat to residents and their properties. We can’t be held answerable for choices made by people who cross that crimson line,” Mahlobo stated.
Vaal and Bloemhof Dams standing
The division reported that the 5 sluice gates stay opened with an outflow of 793 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s) on the Vaal Dam and water ranges are at the moment at 114.61% as at this morning.
“At Bloemhof Dam, ranges have gone down from final evening’s (Tuesday) 116% to 111% this morning (Wednesday) and water ranges proceed to say no. As such, the Division has decreased outflows from 3000 mᵌ/s by this afternoon to 2500 mᵌ/s”.
The Division of Water and Sanitation continues to observe the state of affairs and can present common updates.
Residents are urged to observe directions from native authorities and catastrophe administration groups.
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