The Department asked residents to evacuate in lower lying areas of the Vaal River and Dam, and to also remove valuable equipment, movable infrastructure, and livestock from the flood zone due to controlled water releases at both dams.
The Department opened the fifth of the twenty radial gates at the Bloemhof Dam, after water levels exceeded 116% full, on Tuesday morning, at around 11am.
The Department said these adjustments are necessary to manage high inflows and ensure safe operation of the dam.
Water outflow was at 2200 cubic metres per second (mᵌ/s); around 11am, and further increased to 2450 mᵌ/s; at around 14h00, about 2700 mᵌ/s at at 16h00 until about 3000 mᵌ/s at 6pm.
Three of the gates are now fully opened and two are partially opened at different metres.
Cape Town
The flowing roads are flooded in Cape Town following Tuesday’s rains- Elsieskraal in Pinelands, Liesbeek along Langa, Vygieskraal, Fishhoek, Parow Industria, Tygervalley and Table View.
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works warned against crossing flooded roads in the Namakwa District since Tuesday, after Monday’s heavy rains.
Flooded roads are the Rooifontein to Kamasies Road (DR2951). The Department said although repairs were completed last week by the its Roads Team, ongoing rain caused the road to flood again.
Water levels were rising rapidly at the Schaap/Buffelsriver Low Water Bridge (MR745)
The Department said the contractor is monitoring the newly constructed bridge.
Other areas in the Northern Cape, such as
Richmond received some 10mm of rain on Tuesday morning and another 18mm in the evening.