Community outside Paarl urged to evacuate as 3 dams overflow due to heavy rain

CAPE TOWN - The community of Newton Village outside Paarl has been urged to evacuate as three dams are overflowing due to heavy rains. 

A voice note to residents from Drakenstein Mayor Stephen Korabie revealed that authorities have been monitoring the dam levels since late Tuesday night and had tried to clear canals. 

He explained that the dam wall integrity was sound and they'd managed to control the situation, despite a massive amount of water flowing down into Newton Village. 

However, he warned that Thursday's level eight rain puts the community under threat and he appealed to residents to evacuate.

"We don't want a situation where people stay in their homes and hope nothing happens and then the worst happens. It's better to have a bit of inconvenience now than to have sorrow tomorrow."