Residents living near Vaal River banks urged to evacuate after water levels rise

JOHANNESBURG - Residents living near the banks of the Vaal River catchment have been cautioned to evacuate after water levels surged due to the persistent rainfall.

The water and sanitation department was forced to open gate sluices four and five over the weekend, after dam storage surpassed 100% capacity.

The department said that several communities would be affected by the rise of the dam levels.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has advised residents living along the banks of the Vaal River to begin removing valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock to avoid any possible damage or loss.

With the increased water releases from the five sluice gates, the department has warned that there's risk of overflowing at riverbanks downstream, which could affect infrastructure in low-lying areas.

Spokesperson Wisane Mavasa: "The department is currently implementing the necessary controlled releases at the dams as part of the dam safety precautions to safeguard the infrastructure."

Mavasa added that the department may slow down the opening of gates, depending on the weather predictions in the next few days.