Mapaballo Borotho
- Residents near the Senteeko Dam in Mpumalanga have been ordered to evacuate due to the risk of imminent dam failure.
- Authorities say the dam’s spillway has suffered severe and irreversible structural damage.
- An uncontrolled release of water could pose a serious threat to downstream communities and infrastructure.
Residents living near the Senteeko Dam, located in the Die Kaap River catchment in Mpumalanga, have been urged to evacuate as the dam is at risk of imminent failure.
The dam, owned by the Shamile Communula Property Association, is mainly used for irrigation purposes.
An emergency safety assessment conducted by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Dam Safety Office has confirmed that the dam’s spillway structure has suffered severe and irreversible deterioration, including advanced erosion and undercutting, leading to structural instability.
The department says the dam’s failure is imminent and may occur without further warning.
“An uncontrolled release of water is likely and poses an immediate and serious threat to downstream communities, infrastructure and the environment. All persons residing or operating downstream of the dam are instructed to evacuate flood-prone areas immediately and to comply with all directives issued by disaster management authorities and emergency services,” said departmental spokesperson Wisani Mavasa.
Public access to the dam site is strictly prohibited.
The department added that emergency interventions currently in place are temporary risk-reduction measures only and do not prevent full or partial failure of the dam structure.
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