The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has issued an urgent evacuation advisory for residents living along the floodline of the Vaal River downstream of the Vaal and Bloemhof Dams, as water levels in the system continue to surge due to persistent high inflows.
On Sunday morning, the department opened a fifth sluice gate on the Vaal Dam to manage the overflow. As of midday, the dam stood at a staggering 111.51% of its full supply capacity—up from 109.3%—with water currently being released at 760 cubic metres per second (m³/s).
“There will be no changes in the dam’s outflows for now. However, if inflows increase, more gates may be opened,” the DWS warned.
“Controlled water releases may result in riverbank overtopping and impact infrastructure in low-lying areas.”
Who Needs to Evacuate?
Residents who live within the 1 in 100-year floodline of the Vaal and Bloemhof downstream areas are urged to evacuate to safer locations immediately. This includes removing:
- Valuable equipment
- Livestock
- Movable infrastructure
The Department emphasized that these actions are precautionary but crucial for public safety.
Why the Sudden Risk?
- Heavy rainfall and upstream inflows are contributing to dangerously high water levels.
- The Vaal Dam has surpassed its safe operating level and continues to receive heavy inflow.
- Additional gate openings may be necessary if rainfall persists, increasing the risk of flash flooding downstream.
What You Should Do
✅ Evacuate now if you live in a flood-prone area
✅ Move valuables and animals to higher ground
✅ Stay tuned to official DWS updates
✅ Avoid low-lying roads and bridges near the river
“The Department is closely monitoring the Vaal River System and will provide regular updates across multiple platforms to keep the public informed,” the DWS added.
Stay Informed
For updates and hydrology reports:
- Follow @DWS_RSA on social media
- Monitor local emergency services
- Listen to community radio stations and municipal alerts
