“Lives at Risk: Mpumalanga Residents Urged to Stay Clear of Rising Floodwaters
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has urged the public to stay away from rivers, streams and dams as persistent heavy rains continue to batter Mpumalanga and several other parts of the country.Large areas of Gauteng have already experienced flash floods following continuous downpours, prompting the department to caution residents to remain indoors where possible and avoid walking, driving or attempting to cross bridges in areas with rising water levels or strong currents.“As the rainfall continues, most of the dams will also experience high volumes and the public is also urged to avoid being close to the dams and areas of water,” the department said.
The DWS further warned against recreational activities such as swimming and fishing in water bodies affected by fast-moving currents. Groups conducting religious activities, including river baptisms, were also advised to exercise extreme caution or avoid water locations altogether until conditions improve.The alert comes after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Level 9 warning for disruptive rain and severe thunderstorms across Gauteng and Mpumalanga over the weekend.Dam Levels Rise as Preventative Measures Kick InAs part of its flood-management protocols, the department has begun controlled water releases at major dams.At the Vaal Dam, outflows were increased from 17 to 60 m³/s on Sunday morning, while the Bloemhof Dam saw its outflow raised from 60 to 120 m³/s. By Sunday morning, the Vaal Dam was at 104.07% capacity, and the Bloemhof Dam at 98.88%.
The department stressed that although the releases are substantial, they are not expected to cause rivers to overflow. Instead, the controlled outflows are intended to stabilise the system amid continued inflows caused by persistent rainfall.The DWS assured the public that it is closely monitoring water levels to ensure safety protocols are upheld and to protect critical infrastructure while minimising flood risks.“Water is a very powerful force, and it cannot be taken lightly. Water safety is very important to both young and old during severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall,” the department emphasised.Residents are urged to follow official updates and adhere to safety instructions as wet weather conditions are expected to continue
