FLOOD ALARM AS SA BATTLES RELENTLESS RAINS

Residents urged to evacuate immediately

- ANITA NKONKI

THE Vaal Dam crisis has turned into a perfect storm of disruption as water levels surge to a dangerous 114%, threating 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 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.