As the Vaal Dam reaches critical levels, authorities are grappling with rising water and the reluctance of residents to evacuate. On Monday, April 28, 2025, the dam was reported at 120.69% capacity, prompting officials to implement a structured release schedule to manage the escalating situation. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and local emergency services are on high alert as heavy rainfall continues to drive water levels higher.
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo expressed frustration over the refusal of some residents to heed evacuation orders. "We’ve been working so hard with many communities, and there’s been a lot of positive response working with the NSRI, the police, the disaster management centers in the municipalities. But there are those communities that have been ignoring our request," Mahlobo told eNCA.
The situation escalated dramatically on Friday, April 25, when authorities opened ten sluice gates at the Vaal Dam to manage the rising water levels. The dam was experiencing an inflow of 1587.3 m³/s and an outflow of 1881.0 m³/s. This was a slight decrease from Sunday’s reading of 121.53%, which had increased by 2.21% since Friday. In fact, water levels had surged by approximately 6.36 percentage points in just 24 hours due to heavy rainfall across the region.
Residents along the Vaal River have expressed anger towards authorities, claiming that better management of water levels could have prevented the current flooding situation. Some have described the decision to open additional sluice gates as "disastrous." Despite these criticisms, officials defended their approach, with Mahlobo stating, "We are actually even releasing more than 1.8 billion liters per second." He noted the challenges posed by the interconnected river systems, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to manage the unprecedented water volumes.
As rescue teams remain on high alert, they are working tirelessly to assist families in flood-affected areas. The NSRI, police, and emergency services have warned the public to comply with road closures and to heed notices regarding safety risks. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon highlighted the importance of cooperation from residents, noting that while many are responding positively, there are still those who refuse to evacuate.
"In some cases, residents were reluctant to evacuate, while others in areas that are in danger of flooding but had not yet been affected or breached by the rising waters were also refusing to move," Lambinon explained. He pointed out that some residents were making preparations, such as storing furniture in trees, as the situation worsened.
By Thursday, April 24, it became evident that ongoing rescue operations would be necessary. The Gauteng duty crew was called in as flooding began to threaten homes and businesses near the Vaal River/N1 Freeway junction. By Friday morning, at least ten sluice gates had been opened as water levels exceeded 110%, with more flooding anticipated.
Emergency services, including ER24, police, and local fire services, worked together to evacuate residents from areas at risk. However, many residents remained reluctant to leave their homes, even as the threat of flooding loomed. Late on Friday night, emergency operators received a distress call from a man in Cape Town whose family was trapped between their home and the roadway. NSRI Gauteng station commander Gerhard Potgieter coordinated a rescue operation, successfully locating the family and coaxing them to safety.
Despite the challenges, rescue teams remained vigilant throughout the weekend. By Sunday, April 27, they were still on high alert, prepared to respond to any emergencies as the situation continued to evolve. The coordinated response efforts from multiple agencies highlight the seriousness of the flooding crisis along the Vaal River.
As water levels continue to rise, authorities are focused on convincing reluctant residents to evacuate while managing the unprecedented water volumes flowing through the Vaal Dam system. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further developments as weather conditions change. The community's safety hangs in the balance as officials strive to navigate this critical crisis.
