The Vaal Dam crisis has turned into a perfect storm of disruption as water levels surge to a dangerous 114%, threatening riverside businesses with financial ruin, forcing evacuations from low-lying areas, cancelling Easter religious ceremonies, and putting emergency services on high alert as more rain approaches.

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, made an oversight visit earlier this week to critical sites such as the Vaal Dam and the Barrage Dam. Majodina's assessment highlighted the grave conditions faced by those residing in low-lying regions, pressing them to evacuate and vacate immediately.

Water levels in the Vaal Dam have sharply risen from around 107% just a week ago to a staggering 114% as of April 9, leading authorities to open five sluice gates - an indication of the serious threat posed to surrounding communities.

In addition, water levels in the Bloemhof Dam, which is nourished by the Vaal and Vet Rivers, have also surged significantly, prompting similar releases and further jeopardising already at-risk populations.

Visiting some of the areas affected, the Saturday Star reported scenes of devastation, with several houses submerged in floodwaters, yards turned into lakes, and entire communities disrupted.

One notably affected site is Manten Marina, home to NSRI Station 22, where business operations have been severely impeded.

Kathy Manten, the marina’s owner, shared the challenges they’ve been facing:

“So what happens here is it slowly starts seeping until it runs into the yard. Starting Saturday night, we realised it was coming in; we had to phone staff members to come and help us and start moving things out of the way. We are unable to work. You can't earn money because everything is underwater.”

Manten also talked about the huge cleanup ahead once the water recedes: “Once the water goes down, there's a huge cleanup. It leaves behind dirt, silt, fine particles of sand, and often algae. And it smells horrific. Everything is wet and damp. We need to wash and scrub floors and walls and start moving things back to where they were. So at least another week before you start working, meaning you could be losing a month. It is quite costly.”

Amid these worrying developments, Majodina made a plea to those living along the Vaal River banks and in the floodplain, urgently advising them to evacuate to avoid tragic outcomes.

“As much as these rains are falling in this capacity, people are going to be drowned; they are going to be washed away,” she stated.

Majodina underscored that it is illegal to encroach on the floodline and warned that continued negligence could lead to devastating consequences.

She particularly urged religious communities to exercise caution, reminding them that rituals near rivers can pose significant dangers during this unpredictable weather period.

“We also want to make a plea with churches; we are not against any rituals and the church baptismal, but now it is very dangerous as they prepare for their Easter services. They must stay away from these rivers. When we open these sluice gates, then they will see more water.”

Echoing these sentiments, Sipho Mosai, Chief Executive of Rand Water, emphasised the importance of heeding municipal advice. “For the people living in the Vaal Barrage, it is crucial to move away from the floodline. Please listen to your community structures. These things can happen quickly and overnight, and you may need to evacuate,” he cautioned, noting the ever-changing conditions surrounding the Vaal Dam.

The past months have been a torrent of severe rains and disruptive weather systems, with numerous provinces reporting flash floods and storms, tragically claiming lives. Emergency services have heightened their efforts to warn citizens against crossing flooded roads and low-lying bridges, emphasising the need for vigilance and safety.

anita.nkonki@inl.co.za

Saturday Star