Water levels at Riverton have risen after 10 sluice gates were opened at the Vaal Dam last week.
Image: Supplied
DAM LEVELS and storage weirs in the Northern Cape have increased to 133.5 percent this week, following the opening of 10 sluice gates at the Vaal Dam last week.
This is up from 117.3 percent recorded the previous week.
Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson Wisane Mavasa said on Wednesday that the Vanderkloof Dam, located between the Free State and Northern Cape, was 108.6 percent full, showing a slight increase from last week’s 107.8 percent, with a combined outflow of 1,324.2 cubic metres per second (m³/s).
“The Vaalharts storage weir increased from 128 percent last week to 139.4 percent this week. Water is currently being released at 3,977 m³/s.
“The Spitskop Dam storage weir is 118.9 percent full.
“The Orange River system at Prieska has risen to 6.7 metres, up from last week’s 5.64 metres, while the Upington gauging station is at 6.61 metres,” added Mavasa.
She appealed to communities situated along the Vaal and Orange River systems to take evacuation warnings seriously.
“Communities are urged not to erect buildings within the 1-in-100-year flood line in low-lying areas, as this increases the risk of property damage during floods.
“Farmers are also advised to adjust water pumps, and remove livestock and mining equipment from vulnerable areas,” she said.
Mavasa added that provincial and district disaster teams remain on high alert to prevent the loss of human life and livestock.
“No fishing or swimming is allowed under these circumstances,” she cautioned.
Parts of Riverton flooded after sluice gates were opened last week.
Image: Supplied