Operation “open sluice gates” kicks-off

Operation ”open sluice gates” has officially kicked-off.

On Monday, the Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS) announced that it was gearing up to open sluice gates of full dams to avoid flooding.

READ: “Find alternative accommodation” urges DWS as heavy downpours batter the country

This comes after incessant heavy downpours battering parts of the country have caused flash floods in parts of Gauteng.

Hartbeespoort Dam sluice gates opened

Despite the incessant rains, Vaal dam levels are still sitting below 40% full.

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Picture: Rand Water (Twitter)

The dam is still awaiting water transfers from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) tunnel.

Transfers to the Vaal were cut-off from the beginning of October till the end of November following the drainage of the LHWP tunnel for “necessary” maintenance.

Replenishing of the tunnel commenced November 20 and with the tunnel already supplying Sol Plaatje Dam in Free State.