Staff Reporter.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) announced the opening of one sluice gate on Tuesday morning after the Vaal Dam has breached 100%.
There is a possibility that other sluices could be opened by the DWS if rains and heavy inflows continue.
Interview with spokesperson for the @DWS_RSA, Mnr Sputnik Ratau, after opening of the first sluice gate at the Vaal Dam this morning.
?Theresa du Toit@VoxWeatherZa @rsglandbou @peoples_weather @AgriSA1904 @JoelGuy_ @huisgenoot @landbou @maroelamedia @Mooivaalmedia @ewnreporter pic.twitter.com/6ZLAZkp1Ri— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) December 28, 2021
Second sluice gate opened at Vaal Dam at 12:00. Footage from one of the RiSA admins, who is one of only three journalists allowed on the wall today ?
?Theresa du Toit@rsglandbou @eNCA @peoples_weather @AgriSA1904 @JoelGuy_ @huisgenoot @landbou @maroelamedia @Mooivaalmedia pic.twitter.com/Uidrzqo2s3— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) December 28, 2021
The department urged all farmers and communities residing downstream of the Vaal Dam to be cautious, and to move their equipment away from the water’s edge, as heavy flows are expected.
The DWS also emphasised that no one should be crossing low-lying bridges currently, due to the extreme risk of them being flooded.
This time last week, the dam sat at 103% and as of Monday, storage measured 107%.
The healthy storage levels in the Vaal Dam is thanks to consistent and heavy rains falling in the 38,500km² catchment areas.
The Integrated Vaal River System consists of 14 dams.
It takes a significant amount of rainfall for the dam to fill, due to evaporation rates and the vastness of its catchment areas.