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Overflowing dams due to heavy rains

2 Sep 2013

The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) in the Western Cape Region is calling on residents and people engaged in assortment of activities near dams to be cautious as dams, canals and reservoirs in the province are at full capacity due to the persistent heavy rains.

The soil in the Western Cape is saturated due to high rainfall and will result in a high runoff which could cause excessive flooding in low areas. People who stay within the 1:100 year flood lines are especially advised to be on the alert.

Last week the department met with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) to discuss the disaster risks associated with the dams in the province. The average capacity of Western Cape dams is currently at 102.35% full.

The risk areas with a high possibility have been identified as:

Eerste River system (residential and agricultural areas in the flood planes)

The Lourens River at Somerset-West (low lying residential areas)

The confluence of the Olifants and Doring Rivers downstream of the Clanwilliam dam close to Vredendal (residential and agricultural areas in the flood planes),
Kingna and Keisies River (Montagu and surrounding areas)

Berg River at the Paarl downstream of Berg River dam (residential area in the flood plane of the river) and
Wolwedans Dam (mitigation measures are to breach the Great Brak Estuary)

The region is currently on alert and closely observing the specific areas of concern. The level of dams is also under constant monitoring by means of real time monitoring systems. The Berg River at Paarl is experiencing a localised flooding which is affecting nearby informal settlements. Theewaterskloof Dam's water capacity is currently 105.80 % full and has an uncontrolled side channel spillway.

Members of the public are reminded to contact the call centre on 0800 200 200 for reporting any water related emergencies and concerns OR alternatively: +27 (0) 21 941 6000 (during office hours).

Source: allAfrica

AllAfrica is a voice of, by and about Africa - aggregating, producing and distributing 2000 news and information items daily from over 130 African news organisations and our own reporters to an African and global public. We operate from Cape Town, Dakar, Lagos, Monrovia, Nairobi and Washington DC.

Go to: http://allafrica.com/