Update: Flooding along the Vaal

SOME Northern Cape residents are using the opportunity to fish in their gardens as rising waters are flowing past their doorsteps after 12 dam sluice gates were opened this week.

Meanwhile, while there is an abundance of water, Warrenton is without a drop, as the water pipes were damaged by the rushing water.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said several drownings were reported in the Province following recent torrential rains and the floodgates that were opened.

“The SAPS Search and Rescue units are currently still searching for three adult males who recently went missing in rivers near Warrenton, Barkly West and Upington,” said Kock.

He cautioned the public to take extra care when passing through, swimming or fishing at the Orange, Vaal, Riet and Modder rivers and to supervise children in water-logged areas.

Agri-Northern Cape president Nicol Jansen indicated that farmers stood to suffer extensive damages due to the flooding, especially at the confluence of the Vaal and Orange rivers, which are overflowing.

“Raisin, pecan nuts and citrus fruit crops have not been harvested yet. Farmers suffered losses of R150 million during floods that occurred in January 2022 and the water is at a much higher level this year. The longer property is under water, the greater the damages. While R1.3 billion was allocated to repair infrastructure, it could not be completed after the funds that ran out,” said Jansen.

Workers at Riverton Pleasure Resort took out their fishing rods to catch barbels, while they said snakes had also washed up onto the river banks.

All the contents of houses including the doors at the Northern Cape Aquatic Club and those situated on the river bank had to be removed.

Deep pools of water surrounded the entrances to Langley Pleasure Resort, which has not been opened to the public since the festive season following flooding last year.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said there was no danger of the pipes flooding at the Riverton water purification plant.

“The water is being purified and tested regularly as it is muddier due to the debris that is entering the dams,” said Riet.

The acting municipal manager of Magareng Municipality, Tumelo Thage, said the local authority was currently experiencing difficulties in providing potable water to Warrenton, Warrenvale and Ikhutseng.

“Since this morning we have distributed about five megalitres of potable water. However, not a single drop of this water has reached the main pump station in town for distribution to households.

“We suspect that our 500 millimetre main supply pipeline that connects the water treatment plant on the western side of the Vaal River and the water supply areas on the eastern side has burst open or it was fractured by an object in the middle of the Vaal River crossing point,” said Thage.

He explained that high river flow velocity and water levels of up to five metres had prevented maintenance teams from tracing and fixing the leaks.

“All efforts are being exhausted to find alternative ways of distributing water to households at this very difficult time.”

Thage said residents with access to transport could collect water at the water treatment plant.

“Alternative accommodation such as a community hall will be made available in the event that homes become flooded.”

The owner of Warrenton Vaal self-catering, angling, canoeing and camping, Delano Dawson, said he was unable to operate his business while the river was flooded.

“I moved my sheep to the house as their grazing land is under water. I caught a 16.3 kilogram carp in my yard earlier this week. It is quite stressful and I wake up a few times each night to check whether the water is reaching my house. There is a lot of debris, tree branches and logs floating around in the water.”

He added that the low-level bridge in Warrenton was completely submerged by the water.

Linda Kotze was also fishing in her yard in Douglas this week and she believes that houses could be flooded if more water is released over the weekend.

“People are making use of boats as a mode of transport.”

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