Heavy downpours result into flooding and a substantial increment in national water levels

Widespread torrential rainfall that occurred in large parts of the country resulting in localised flooding has risen national water levels. The weekly report released by the Department of Water and Sanitation has indicated a notable increase of the water levels in the reservoirs of the country to 96.5% this week, compared to last week’s 93.7%. This is a noteworthy improvement from last year’s 93.1%.

Among the areas that experienced severe flooding in most parts of Eastern Cape, central and eastern parts of KwaZulu Natal, lowveld of Mpumalanga, eastern and Northern Parts of Limpopo, central and eastern Parts of Free State, Gauteng as well as the extreme eastern and north-eastern parts of North West.

Most of the country’s Water Supply Systems are on an upward spiral week on week. The Integrated Vaal River System, which is comprised of 14 dams with catchments in Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and North West elevated from last week’s 100.7% to 102.8% this week.

Some of the Water Supply System that have experienced increments week on week are; Amathole expanding marginally from 100.1% last week to 103.7% this week, Bloemfontein from 98.6% to 102.3%, Butterworth from 100.0% to 100.3%, Luvuvhu from 101.2% to 104.7%, Klipplaat from 100.2% last week to 101.0%, Orange soared from 99.5% to 104.2%, Polokwane from 104.6% to 106.9%, Umgeni from 101.8% to 102.6%.

Both Crocodile East and West have risen from 101.4% to 104.7% and 95.3% to 98.9% respectively.

However, there are some Water Supply Systems that have experienced a decline in water levels. Cape Town from 59.8% to 58.1% and Algoa Water Supply System regressed further from 13.1% last week to 12.7% this week.

A total of seven (7) provinces out of nine (9) have experienced overall improvements in water levels. Eastern Cape water levels broadly experienced a slight increase with the provincial water storage level at 80.3% this week, up from last week’s 76.6%.

Other provinces that have experienced increments in the water levels this week include Free State from 100.3% to 104.1%, Limpopo from 87.1% to 91.1%, Gauteng from 99.8% to 102.7%, KwaZulu Natal from 91.8% to 93.3%, North West from 84.1% to 86.2% and Mpumalanga from 98.0% to 101.0%.

Provinces that have experienced downwards movements in their water levels are; Northern Cape dropping 95.5% to 94.9% and Western Cape from 52.7% last week to 50.9% this week.

Gariep Dam, which is South Africa’s largest dam increased from 99.2% last week and is sitting at 105.2% this week. Sterkfontein Dam, a reserve dam within IVRS, is at 101.4%, showing a slight increase from last week’s water level of 101.3%.

Vaal Dam has also increased significantly from 101.0% to 107.3% and has necessitated for six (6) of its flood gates to be opened as well as an outflow releases at the Bloemhof Dam.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is cautioning residents to stay away from low lying areas to avoid being washed off by floods that is caused by heavy rainfall.

Source: Government of South Africa