Water Affairs do very well
Owners of some houses on the river bank were nervous as the water level kept rising.
Somebody who had not been in Standerton during a flood does not know what havoc it can cause.
STANDERTON – People get into a frenzy because of the Meyerville Bridge that might be closed.
The Vaal River burst its banks and water came down with a force.
The water originated from the Grootdraai Dam where sluice gates were opened at 4pm on Monday afternoon and 850 cubic metres a second flowed in and 772 cubic metres flowed out.
Two gates were opened to 2 metres and two gates to 1,5 metres, which would have brought the outflow to 800 cubic metres.
The water influx and outflow were stabilised to 810 cubic metres just before 5pm.
A meeting was held at the fire brigade and all partners for crisis control attended.
They are fully prepared if a full- fledged flood hit town.
People were rushing to the River Park to assess how the water level has risen.
There were even young men, without knowing the dangers, trying to fish with nets. The Standerton Police had their hands full to keep the people out of the park, as it was risky to enter.
The water was coming down with a force that people should beware of.
Taxis were forced to seek other places to help their customers as the rank was under water.
Shops next to the rank were flooded and owners removed their goods.
Owners of some houses on the river bank were nervous as the water level kept rising.
The water in- and outflow were stable and all four sluice gates open on Wednesday morning.
The team at the Department of Water Affairs monitored the situation closely and adjusted the sluice gates accordingly.
Some residents took this opportunity to have a relaxing day next to the flooding river, fishing, not really aware of the danger.
The Traffic Department had to regulate traffic in Nelson Mandela Drive from about 10pm on Tuesday evening as one lane is closed due to road works.
The alternative route was flooded and had to be closed. While this road is closed, the Traffic Department will have to regulate in- and outgoing traffic, as it is one of the main routes through town.
