Deneysville residents living along Vaal River taking no chances after evacuation order
The Department of Water and Sanitation opened a fifth sluice gate after heavy rain pushed the Vaal Dam beyond capacity, which could lead to flooding.
FILE: The Department of Water and Sanitation opened a sluice gate at the Vaal Dam on 6 April 2025 after water levels surged due to persistent rain. Picture: @DWS_RSA/X
DENEYSVILLE - Some residents Deneysville living along the Vaal River are taking essential items from their homes following an evacuation order.
The Department of Water and Sanitation opened a fifth sluice gate after heavy rain pushed the Vaal Dam beyond capacity, which could lead to flooding.
People are removing livestock and other important personal belongings.
It's a scene of nervous preparation in Deneysville in the Free State.
The weather has calmed for now, but locals aren’t taking any chances, moving their most valued possessions and heading for safer, higher ground.
One resident told EWN that she had cleared out her holiday home and was back to collect her boat before conditions worsened.
"The safety of a boat is important and the poor residents here they've all had to evacuate and I believe it's even worse at the river. We're on our way there now to see what to do, how to go."
The Sedibeng District Municipality said that its disaster management teams were on high alert, warning that the situation could deteriorate quickly if rain continued to fall.