South African dam releases 700 m³/s towards Maputo
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on O País
South Africa’s Pongolapoort Dam has increased releases to 700 cubic metres per second, raising fears of a rise in the Maputo River in Mozambique. The effects could reach riverside areas and disrupt traffic within 48 hours, according to the National Directorate of Water Resources Management.
A rise in the flow of the Maputo River could worsen flooding in riverside areas and disrupt road traffic in several localities in Maputo province, following increased releases from South Africa’s Pongolapoort Dam. The National Directorate of Water Resources Management (DNGRH) said the released flow reached 700 m³/s on 8 November.
The effects of this increase could reach Mozambique within 48 hours of the rise in flow, during which time the river level could continue to increase until reaching a peak, according to the DNGRH. Riverside agricultural areas and the localities of Catuane, Salamanga and Tinonganine are particularly exposed.
In response to the moderate flood risk in the Maputo basin, the DNGRH recommends that riverside residents avoid crossing the river and entering flooded areas, particularly agricultural fields. Where crossing is essential, the National Institute for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD) can arrange passage by boat, subject to sufficient safety conditions, according to the DNGRH.
