The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a warning of flooding in the Northern Cape due to heavy rainfall in many parts of the country and water releases from upstream after the sluice gates were opened.
THE Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a warning of flooding in the Northern Cape due to heavy rainfall in many parts of the country and water releases from upstream.
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation Amogelang Moholoeng on Friday said eight sluice gates at the Vaal dam were opened.
“The provincial disaster teams, district and local authorities would be on high alert to put measures in place to avoid loss of human lives, livestock, and damage to property. No fishing or swimming is allowed under these circumstances. ”
He stated that Vanderkloof dam that was located on the border of the Free State and the Northern Cape was currently 105.95 percent full, with an outflow of 888.55 cubic metres per second (m³/s).
“The Spitskop dam in the Northern Cape is at 113,17 percent, while the Vaalharts storage dam is at 97.84 percent.
“Gauging stations indicate that Katlani, which is just below the Orange-Vaal confluence, is currently at a height of just above 5.8 metres, outflowing at 2415.81 m³/s. At Prieska, the Orange River is at a height of just above 5.1 metres and flowing at 2509.58 m3/s. In Upington, the Orange River is at a height of 5.762 metres with a flow of 2530.77 m3/s, and water levels are expected to increase to approximately 5.9 metres by Saturday, April 23.”
Moholoeng stated that Blouputs in the Orange River near Augrabies waterfalls, was standing at 3.142 metres with a flow of 1.754 m3/s.
“Water levels in the Vaal and Orange River systems will differ depending on the width and depth of the river. It is therefore critical for all to be vigilant and not to take chances over low-lying bridges and possibly eroded roads.”
