Communities near Vaal River may experience flooding after Bloemhof Dam sluice gates opened

JOHANNEBURG - Communities living near the Vaal River may experience further flooding, as more sluice gates at the Bloemhof Dam have been opened.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has confirmed that it is continuing with controlled water releases at both dams to reduce rising water levels.

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Recent heavy rainfall has significantly increased levels at these dams, prompting authorities to open sluice gates to manage the overflow.

These releases have already caused flooding along the banks of the Vaal River, damaging infrastructure and destroying several homes.

Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson Wisane Mavasa said five more sluice gates at the Vaal Dam remain open.

“The controlled water releases at both the dams have led to overtopping of riverbanks downstream, resulting in flooding that has affected settlements that are in the lower-lying areas within the 1 in 100-year flood line. 

“As part of the dam safety protocols, sluice gates are opened when dams breach the full capacity mark, to prevent the water resource infrastructure from failing as it may lead to a dam bursting and causing a disaster of unimaginable magnitude.”