Warning to those living near Bloemhof dam floodplains to ‘move as soon as possible’

The department of water and sanitation has warned communities living near the floodplains of Bloemhof Dam in the North West to move as far away as possible to avoid flooding.

The department said projections by hydrologists are that Bloemhof would reach 100% capacity by Saturday and that eight sluice gates would be opened to avoid the dam from bursting‚ while the Vaal Dam is expected to open two sluice gates on Sunday.

“The department would like to warn all communities that live on the floodplains of the two dams to move as soon as possible as they would be exposed to possible flooding‚” the department said on Thursday.

The department gave an update on dam levels across the country‚ which included the following for KwaZulu-Natal: Albert Falls – 29.36%‚ Inanda – 63.59%‚ Mearns – 121.83%‚ Midmar – 67.45%‚ Nagel – 87.45%‚ and Springrove – 74.55%.

The department also gave updates on other dam levels in the North West: Molatedi Dam (Groot Marico River) 50%‚ Hartbeespoort Dam 100% (gates opened) Roodekoppies Dam 106%‚ all 8 gates open‚ and other dams: Gariep Dam measured 71.8%‚ Bloemhof Dam 64.5% and Grootdraai Dam 102% (gates opened)

Via The Times Live