Sanitation Department says opening Bloemhof and Vaal Dams sluice gates may result in flooding
The controlled release of water from the dams was conducted multiple times on Tuesday, with the most recent sluice gate opened at 6pm on Wednesday.
On Sunday, 6 April 2025, the Department of Water and Sanitation opened a fifth sluice gate at the Vaal Dam after water levels rose to 106%. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - The Water and Sanitation Department says the recent opening of sluice gates at the Bloemhof and Vaal dams may result in flooding in low-lying areas.
The controlled release of water from the dams was conducted multiple times on Tuesday, with the most recent sluice gate opened at 6pm on Wednesday.
Parts of the Vaal have been experiencing flooding in recent days due to these controlled releases.
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This was due to rising water levels caused by the recent heavy rainfall in the region.
Water and Sanitation Department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa has advised residents in low-lying areas to evacuate.
"The current controlled water releases at both the dams may lead to possible overtopping of riverbanks downstream, and this will affect infrastructure built in lower-lying areas within the 1-100 year flood line."