Water rushes into the Vaal River from the Vaal Dam at a rate of 800,000 litres per second.
People living along the banks of the Vaal River and in the flood plain have been advised to move as water is released from the Vaal Dam into the river.
Water levels in the Vaal dam increased from around 107% last week to 114% on 9 April and the authorities opened five sluice gates.
About 800,000 litres of water per second were released into the river to relieve pressure on the dam.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has warned that this might cause flooding in lower-lying areas downstream.
Some buildings have already been partly submerged by the water.
Further downstream, water levels in the Bloemhof dam which is fed by the Vaal and Vet Rivers have also risen sharply and water has been released from that dam too.
“People living within the high flood line of the Vaal River downstream of the Vaal Dam and the Bloemhof Dam should evacuate and move to a safe area, and remove valuable equipment, movable infrastructure and livestock,” said the Department of Water and Sanitation in a statement.
Caravans are deep in water.
Visiting the Vaal Dam on Wednesday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said: “We are pleading with people to move away from the low-lying areas and also people should not be using the river for religious rituals when it is in flood like this.”
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Bom Crossed
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”
Queen Ginger
Padkos – food for the journey [putt-koss] Food that you will pack and take on the road – some sandwiches, drinks, chips, fruit and biltong and you have your padkos!