The Department of Water Affairs is issuing a flood warning to communities downstream of the Orange River at Upington in the Northern Cape. Residents are urged to take extra precautions at this time. It is predicted that the 5100 m3/s (cubic meters per second) flow in the Lower Orange River will reach a height of 7,7 m in that area at midday today, Wednesday 2 February at 12h00, this is approximately 0,1 m lower than the peak that caused widespread flooding in January 2011.
The department is also monitoring the situation at the four largest dams in the Vaal and Orange River catchments. The Vaal Dam currently stands at 106% full, six flood gates remain open and the out outflow is 770 m3/s (cubic meters per second). At the Bloemhof Dam a capacity of 100% has been reached the outflow is 1400 m3/s and should remain stable until next week.
The Gariep Dam is currently at 115% and decreasing steadily, the outflow is 2000 m3/s, while the capacity of the Vanderkloof Dam is 114% with an outflow of 2500 m3/s (cubic meters per second). In the Lower Orange River: the current flow at Katlani (Orange - Vaal River confluence) is 4600 m3/s, at Prieska it is 4910 m3/s (peaked at 5050 m3/s on 1 February 2011). The predicted high flow at Upington, as indicated previously is 5100 m3/s on 2 February 2011 at 12h00. The predicted high flow at Brand Karos (near Alexander Bay) of 4900 m3/s on 6 February 2011.
The South African Weather Service has predicted a 30% chance of showers and thundershowers for the next 24-hours in the Upper Vaal River catchment 60% chance of showers and thundershowers for the next 24-hours in the Middle Vaal River. 60% chance of showers and thundershowers for the next 24-hours in the Orange River catchment upstream of Douglas.
More information may be obtained on the Departmental website at: http://www.dwa.gov.za/Hydrology/.
Enquiries:
Linda Page
Tel: 012 336 8250
Cell: 083 460 4482
Source: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
Urgent flood warning - Lower Orange River at Upington
