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While some residents were concerned about flooding, some saw the opening of the Vaal Dam sluice gates as a business opportunity.
The department of water and sanitation (DWS) has opened the 10th sluice gate at the Vaal Dam as water levels reached a critical 118.48% capacity, prompting mixed reactions from residents and business owners.
Six gates were already opened on Thursday, with the dam level increasing by approximately 6.36 percentage points within 24 hours to the current 118%.
The decision to open additional gates follows heavy rainfall that has necessitated evacuations of residents in lower-lying areas.
WATCH: The opening of the 10th sluice gate
Residents criticise Vaal Dam sluice gates management
Following the announcement of the department to open the 10th gate on Friday, residents gathered at the bridge overlooking the dam.
They cheered enthusiastically as officials opened the 10th sluice gate at 1pm.
Many had specifically travelled to witness the event, forming crowds along the viewing areas.
Some of the residents expressed dissatisfaction with how authorities have managed the sluice gates.
Shawn Herbst told The Citizen that the opening of 10 gates was problematic, but the real issue began earlier.
“The biggest mistake they made [was] closing them,” Herbst said.
“[It] created a lot of damage around the dam because everybody was flooded. Then they decided, ‘Okay, well, let’s open up some gates.’
“Now they’ve got to open up double the number of gates because of their mistake. Already, we had floods two weeks ago with five gates open. Now they’ve got ten. You can imagine the damage it’s going to create with the dam.”
“It’s a disaster,” Herbst stated, describing the situation.
ALSO READ: WATCH: 10th sluice gate opened at the Vaal Dam
Peter Rex, another resident living by the dam, emphasised that the opening of gates affects people living downstream more severely than those near the dam itself.
“They did anticipate that there was going to be such rain, and they closed them. They should never have closed the [sluice gates]. Now we’re currently sitting with floods there by us. The water is sitting about 50 meters or less from our houses on the dam bank,” Rex explained.
He added, “I think the water and sanitation department should have never closed these gates when they originally had five open. They should have closed one or two, but not closed all of them like they did.”
Rex noted that while his immediate area isn’t facing evacuation, the situation is dire for others.
“Where we are currently, we don’t need to evacuate because it’s not that bad. But for the people on the river, it’s bad. They’re losing their houses, they’re losing their businesses,” he explained.
ALSO READ: Flood warnings as 10th Vaal Dam sluice gate to be opened [VIDEO]
Business opportunity amid rising Vaal Dam levels
Not everyone views the rising water levels negatively.
Phillip Sofianos, owner of the Riverview Pub and Grab, told The Citizen that the opening of the sluice gates has been beneficial for his business.
“The water is rising at the moment, as you can see. It has been higher before; we’ve had 18 gates open. The water was here in this pool area.
When asked if he was concerned about the impact on his business, Sofianos replied: “No, it’s good for business.
“It’s good for business because people come and look at the river. They want to see what’s happening. People are inquisitive.”
Sofianos explained that his establishment sits at the flood line and is therefore relatively protected. During his 24 years of business, he has witnessed worse conditions.
“The worst was 18 gates,” he recalled, referring to 2011 when “they had 18 gates open and the water was here in my driveway.”
ALSO READ: Sixth sluice gate opened as Vaal Dam level increases
Current Vaal Dam hydrological data
According to the Vaal Dam and Vaal Barrage Hydrological Information, the Vaal Dam is currently experiencing high water inflow at 2 448.2m³/s with an outflow of 1 113.0m³/s.
The nearby Vaal Barrage decreased to a level of 6.4m with an outflow of 1 863.1m³/s and a water temperature of 15.5°C.
As recently as Thursday, the Vaal Dam level stood at 111.64% with an inflow of 1 332.4m³/s and outflow of 461.1m³/s.
NOW READ: WATCH: Several parts of KZN flooded after heavy downpours
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