“The current heavy downpours have increased Gauteng dam levels by 5% from 91.7% to 96.1% since the beginning of December,” said department spokesperson Sputnik Ratau. “The increased levels, which include the Vaal Dam, will bring much-needed relief to Gauteng water users who were worried about the state ofThe Free State tops the charts with its week-on-week dam level improvement, captured at 72.4% this week. This is a 7% increase compared to the same period last year when the dams stood at 65.2%.
Said Ratau: “The latest weekly report by the department of water & sanitation shows that for the past two weeks dam levels have been on the rise at 1% a week. And with more rains expected in the run-up to Christmas, it is likely that the levels may soon soar to 55% and beyond, which will be remarkable.”
In KwaZulu-Natal, the dry regions of Zululand and uMkhanyakude are receiving regular rainfalls that have drastically improved their situation. “The situation in Mopani and Mogalakwena districts is a great source of concern as some dams are scraping the bottom ... The Middle-Letaba Dam, which registered a measly 0.7% this week, the same as it was a week ago. The dam supplies Giyani and its sprawling villages.”