Issued by: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
GENERAL FLOOD WARNINGS TIME 10:00 14 FEBRUARY 1996
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry issues the following flood warnings in the interest of public safety. The rain is expected to continue until Thursday and rivers may rise even higher. The public should keep themselves informed of rising river levels, further downpours and to take the necessary precautions in case flooding occurs. All responsible bodies will be regularly informed of the situation.
DRAINAGE REGION: VAAL
DAM INFLOW LEVEL DISCHARGE RAINFALL m3/s % m3/s mm Grootdraai 1 500 104 1 200 39 Vaal 2 000 108 1 900 33 Bloemhof 1 100 89 1 480 -
Remarks
Vaal Dam:
The level of the Vaal River can rise by approximately half a metre. However, downstream of the Vaal Dam two tributaries i.e. the Suikerbosrand and the Klip Rivers flow into the Vaal River. These two rivers are both rising and can cause a more rapid rise in the level of the river. The discharge from the Vaal Dam was increased from 1 600 m3/s to 1 900 m3/s at 09:00 this morning through 17 sluice gates. An inflow of 2 500 m3/s is expected later today. It is expected that the inflow will increase to 3 200 m3/s during the night. People are warned to be on flood alert and to take the necessary precautions.
If more rain occurs the inflow into the Vaal Dam can increase drastically and if it exceeds 4 000 m3/s the situation will have to be reconsidered.
Bloemhof Dam:
Inflow into the Bloemhof Dam is presently at 1 100 m3/s.
Grootdraai Dam:
The Grootdraai Dam's inflow rate is expected to rise to 2 000 m3/s during the day. Presently the serious situation similar to that which occurred during Decembe 1995 is prevailing. The public is advised to be on the alert and to pay particular attention to any further rainfall.
General:
A flow of 1 000 m3/s can be contained within the river banks downstream of the Vaal Dam. The public is warned to be on a flood alert as low lying properties along the Vaal may be flooded. The catchment is very wet and more rain is expected during the next two days.
NORTHWEST
The Hartbeespoort Dam is presently at a level of 106% and is discharging water at a rate of 600 m3/s. Inflow into the Hartbeespoort Dam is strong and still rising. Seven sluice gates were opened this morning. The water of the Hartbeespoort Dam will flow downstream of the Krokodil River in the North West Province to the Limpopo River.
DRAINAGE REGION: LETABA/OLIFANTS & LIMPOPO
Loskop - 114 1 383 29 Ebenezer - 48 - 51 Magoebaskloof - 103 - 30 Middel-Letaba - 71 - nil Tzaneen - 43 - 17 Arabie - 141 1 743 nil Nzhelele - 94 - 9 Albasini - 24 - 3 Vondo - 97 - - Luphephe - 100 - - Nwanedzi - 99 - - Mokolo 430 107 312 - Witbank - 94 - 28 Blyderivier - 110 534 -
Remarks:
The Olifants River is flowing at a rate of 1 400 m3/s and is expected to rise to a flow rate of 2 000m3/s later today.Heavy rain fell in the Witbank and Middelburg areas and people are warned to take the necessary precautions in the light of possible flooding. People must keep an eye on rising dam and river levels. The catchment is very wet.
DRAINAGE REGION: KWAZULU/NATAL
Hluhluwe - 103 30 5 Spioenkop - 104 168 16,4 Goedertrouw - 63 - 31 Chelmsford - 101 130 14
Remarks:
The Klip River near Ladysmith was flowing at a rate of 280 m3/s at a level of 6,15 m at 07:00 this morning. The level of the Klip River may rise during the day. The Pongola River near M'hloti was flowing at a rate of 1 200 m3/s early this morning and is still flowing strongly. The Mkuze River near Doornhoek was measured at a flow rate of more than 1 000 m3/s at 18:00 yesterday afternoon. People in KwaZulu/Natal and especially Ladysmith are warned to be on flood alert as more heavy downpours are expected during the day.
ENQUIRIES: VAAL RIVER SYSTEM MARIE ASHPOLE: TEL: (012) 299 2526 (w) (011) 805 2571 (h) CEL: 082 807 3547 ANTOINETTE PIETERSEN: TEL: (012) 299 3313 (w) (012) 663 3068 (h) CEL: 082 458 0244
LETABA / OLIFANTS / LIMPOPO MR RENS BOTHA TEL: (012) 672 2961 (w) (012) 71 4565 (h)
KWAZULU/NATAL MR JOE HANSMANN TEL: (031) 306 1367 (w) (031) 86 4935 (w) MR PERKINS: TEL: (031) 306 1367 (w) (031) 84 9509 (h)