Pretoria - The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has warned South Africans to exercise extreme caution when in or making use of dams and rivers.
This follows recent rains and increasing levels in the country's dams.
In December, SAMSA embarked on a nationwide safety campaign to highlight awareness on the current Boating Regulations and general safety measures in the waterways.
As part of the campaign, SAMSA reminds South Africans to exercise caution when using the waterways until such time that the water capacity stabilises to safer levels.
The authority reminded the boating community and all South Africans to be aware of the safety regulations that apply to waterways. These include a licensed boat/jet-ski, life jackets on the boat for everyone onboard, not to drink alcohol while operating a boat/jet-ski, and possession of a skipper licence.
The Department of Water Affairs has also warned residents in Douglas in the Northern Cape - who live near the Orange River - to be on the lookout for fast rising water levels.
It is predicted that in Upington, water levels in the lower Orange River could reach a height of up to 7.9 meters, with a flood peak of 5 300m3/s expected on Friday.
In the Vaal and Orange River catchment, the Vaal Dam is currently 100 percent full and the outflow has been reduced to 780m3/s. Seven flood gates are now open, and will remain so for the next two days.
The Bloemhof Dam is currently at 104 percent (expected to increase to 110 percent today). The inflow is 3 700m3/s and the outflow is 2 800m3/s.
Gariep Dam has an outflow of 2 000m3/s and the dam is 115 percent full. The dam is expected to return to a capacity of 100 percent in just over a week.
The Vanderkloof Dam is currently 113 percent full, with an outflow of 2 300m3/s. The Vaal Dam is 100 percent full.
