By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has issued a warning to the public that the privately owned Senteeko Dam near Barberton is at risk of imminent failure.
Fullview understands Engineers have been dispatched to assess the privately owned dam after reports of structural risk, with communities downstream being warned to prepare for possible evacuation.
The dam is used for irrigation purposes, has been assessed as structurally unsafe following an emergency safety inspection conducted by the Department’s Dam Safety Office.
According to DWS, the assessment confirmed the dam’s spillway structure has suffered severe and irreversible deterioration. This includes advanced erosion and undercutting, which have led to significant structural instability.
The department’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, said an emergency safety assessment by its dam safety office confirmed that the dam’s spillway structure has suffered severe and irreversible deterioration, including advanced erosion and undercutting leading to structural instability
“Failure of the dam is imminent and may occur without further warning,” she said.
An uncontrolled release of water poses an immediate and serious threat to downstream communities, infrastructure and the environment, it said.
All people residing or operating downstream of the dam must evacuate flood-prone areas immediately; follow directives issued by disaster management authorities and emergency services; and not access the dam site under any circumstances.
Mavasa said that emergency interventions that are in place are “temporary risk‑reduction measures only and do not prevent full or partial failure of the dam structure”.
The department is coordinating response actions with relevant authorities and will issue further updates as required. “The protection of life remains the department’s highest priority. Furthermore, the department urges the public to share verified information responsibly,” she added.