Amid fears that two men have been swept off by floods in Gauteng over the weekend, the Department of Water and Sanitation has warned citizens to exercise caution in case of floods.
This follows torrential downpours in various parts of the province, which rendered some roads unusable.
The department has advised residents to take the following precautions in case of floods:
- If possible‚ stay indoors and off the roads;
- Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles;
- If trapped in a vehicle during a flood‚ abandon the vehicle and get to higher ground;
- Take special care of children; keep them away from flooded streams and rivers during storm conditions; and
- Make sure that water can flow freely through your yard.
“Residents must channel flood water in the direction of the nearest road or drainage system. Never drive on a road that is totally covered by water and no road surface can be seen. In the event of your vehicle stalls‚ leave it immediately and seek higher ground,” the department advised.
Slight decrease in country’s dams
A weekly report published by the Department of Water and Sanitation on Wednesday indicates that the rains have had little effect on the country’s average dam levels, as they decreased slightly from 74.5% to 73.8%.
“With the novelty of summer, the South African Weather Service is predicting more rains in most parts of the country by next week and residents are warned to be on high alert for any possible flash floods,” the department said.
In the Eastern Cape, dam levels have decreased by a fraction from 65.7% to 65.3%. Kouga Dam increased from 52.9% to 53.6%; Loerie Dam is down from 90.5% last week to 89.2%. Umtata Dam levels have also decreased by a fraction from 97.4% to 97.1%.
Western Cape dam levels have decreased from 66.3% to 66.2%, while the Voelvlei Dam water levels increased from 96.3% to 96.6%. Theewaterskloof Dam, one of the main six dams that feed Cape Town, has decreased from 58.4% to 58.3%. Clanwilliam Dam water levels have decreased from 100.1% to 99.5%, while Voelvlei Dam levels increased from 96.3% to 96.6%.
In Gauteng, the Vaal Dam showed a slight decrease from 87.4% recorded last week to 86.6%. The Integrated Vaal River System (IVRS) decreased from 78.4% to 77.7%.
In KwaZulu-Natal, Umgeni System, which comprises Albert Falls, Nagle and Inanda dams, decreased by a fraction from 68.8% last week to 68.2%. Inanda Dam is at 66%; Albert Falls dam levels decreased from 46.2% to 45.7%; Nagle decreased from 70% to 67.9% and Hazelmere decreased from 67.2% to 66.2%.
The Free State Province dam levels has decreased from 87.6% to 86.6%. Last year during the same period, dam levels were recorded at 73.7%. The North West, which was at 58.9% last week, has also decreased to 58.4%. Recordings during the same time last year were at 77.9%. North West boasts dams including Sehujwane, which is currently at 74.1% and Madikwe at 41.8%.
The Northern Cape has seen an increase from 82.7% last week, to 84.7% this week. Spitskop Dam in the Northern Cape is at 78.9%.
Limpopo is down from 65.5% last week to 64.6%. Magoebaskloof Dam in Tzaneen is at 97.9%; Hans Merensky Dam in Phalaborwa is at 78.9%, and Flag Boshielo in Polokwane at 81.7%.
Mpumalanga dam levels have decreased from 72.2% to 71.7%. Mpumalanga has dams including Witbank, which is at 94.6%. Loskop Dam is at 88% and Middleburg Dam is at 94.5%. – SAnews.gov.za
