Cape Town to construct emergency spillway amid dam collapse
The Department of Water and Sanitation has given the City of Cape Town the green light to construct an emergency spillway on the fourth and remaining dam near Malmesbury.
The dam is reported to be on the verge of collapse amid the heavy rain in the province.
Three other dams in Riverlands have already collapsed, resulting in floods damaging property and infrastructure.
More than 50 homes were flooded, and hundreds of people were uprooted.
The department’s spokesperson, Mandla Mathebula, said the three failed dams did not have sufficient spillways and had filled beyond the safe level.
"The fourth dam, which is the highest dam in the valley, also has no spillway, and it has been discovered that it has some structural damage. The dams are owned by the Western Cape provincial government and serve the local farmers.
"The construction has commenced under the supervision of an approved professional person, who will ensure that this dam is able to handle the anticipated floods due to the predicted rainfall, which will last until Tuesday.
"The existing outlet pipe of the dam will also be kept fully open to allow the dam levels to drop to safe capacity or even empty if required," he said.
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