
Dam levels in the Western Cape JUMP as 'Day Zero' averted
The six major dams in the Western Cape – the Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenberg Upper, Theewaterskloof, Voelvlei and Wemmershoek – all saw increases this week as rain lashed the province.
And the good news is that more heavy rain is forecast as the next cold front prepares to hit the Western Cape.
The City of Cape Town uploaded its latest stats on Monday, 30 June.
The latest figures show the six dams are a combined 73.1% of total storage.
That's dramatically up from the 65.7% of last week.
The current levels are also up on the same period a year ago when the combined percentage stood at 68.4%.
Theewaterskloof, which accounts for more than 50% of the Western Cape's total dam capacity (480 188 MI of a total of 898 221 MI) is at 71.2% of capacity, while the next biggest dam, Voëlvlei (164 095 MI), is at 65.7%.
Western Cape residents need no reminding of what life was like during the 'Day Zero' water crisis from mid-2017 to mid-2018.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Weather warning: Cape Town on Yellow Level 4 alert as wave of cold fronts approach
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a series of warnings for the Western Cape as multiple cold fronts are expected to make landfall between Thursday, 3 July and Sunday, 6 July, bringing disruptive rain, strong winds, high waves, and plummeting temperatures across the region. In its latest update, SAWS confirmed a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rain, alongside Level 2 warnings for damaging winds and waves, and a general advisory for very cold, wet and windy conditions. 'The most significant cold front will reach the south-western Cape by Friday afternoon,' said SAWS. 'Quick and heavy downpours are possible, particularly over mountainous regions.' Disruptive Rain (Level 4) : – 30 to 60mm expected across the south-west. – Up to 90mm in mountain regions from Friday to Saturday. – Saturated soils and consecutive rainfall events could cause flooding and infrastructure damage. : – expected across the south-west. – Up to in mountain regions from Friday to Saturday. – Saturated soils and consecutive rainfall events could cause and infrastructure damage. Damaging Winds (Level 2) : – Strong to gale-force winds (60-70km/h, gusting to 80km/h). – Affected areas: Saldanha Bay to Cape Agulhas , especially on Friday, 4 July . : – Strong to (60-70km/h, gusting to 80km/h). – Affected areas: , especially on . Damaging Waves (Level 2): – Waves between 4.5 to 5.5 metres and periods of 10-12 seconds expected. – High-impact conditions along the coast from Cape Agulhas to Plettenberg Bay from Saturday through Monday. SAWS is urging residents and visitors in the Western Cape to: Avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone or coastal areas Secure loose items that may be blown away by strong winds Exercise caution at sea and avoid swimming or boating during high wave periods Ensure adequate heating and shelter as temperatures are expected to drop significantly Local authorities are on alert and disaster risk management teams have been placed on standby. For updates and emergency assistance, residents are advised to monitor official channels and weather bulletins. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Cold fronts to bring disruptive winter weather across South Africa
South Africa is preparing for a wave of intense winter systems as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecasts widespread showers and very cold conditions from Thursday to Sunday. These weather systems will mainly affect the Western and Northern Cape, with impacts expected in the Free State and Eastern Cape. On Thursday, 3 July, SAWS expects isolated showers (30%) over parts of the Northern Cape. Scattered rain (60%) is likely in the central interior, including Bloemfontein and Aliwal North. SAWS forecasts widespread rainfall (80%) along the south-western coast, especially around Worcester. Forecasters expect strong winds to batter the south-west coast on Friday, with gusts reaching up to 80 km/h between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas. SAWS has issued a yellow level 2 warning for wind, warning of strong to gale-force gusts due to a cold front making landfall. By Friday, very cold air will move inland. Snow may fall over the high peaks of the Eastern Cape and southern Drakensberg. Rainfall probabilities remain high, with 60% chances across the southern interior and isolated showers reaching the Free State and southern KwaZulu-Natal. A second cold front is expected to hit the Western Cape on Sunday, bringing more showers and rough sea conditions. South-westerly waves of 4.5 to 5.5 metres are expected between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay, with wave periods of 10–12 seconds. SAWS has issued a yellow level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall in the Western Cape. Forecasters warn that roads and low-lying areas may flood, and fast-flowing streams could pose a danger to life. They also expect rain on already saturated ground to cause service disruptions. SAWS has urged small stock farmers and the general public to prepare for harsh weather in the Western Cape interior and the Namakwa district in the Northern Cape. Light snow may fall over mountain peaks, and cold, wet and windy conditions are likely to persist. Authorities encourage residents to monitor updates and heed all warnings to stay safe during this severe winter spell. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


Eyewitness News
5 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
As WC braces for another storm, relief efforts continue following recent heavy rains
CAPE TOWN - As the Western Cape braces for another storm, ongoing relief efforts are underway related to flooding caused by recent heavy rains. After two days of torrential rain last week, informal settlements across the Western Cape were severely impacted by flooding. More than 500 people in Middelpos were also left stranded by flooding after heavy rains hit Saldanha Bay. Gift of the Givers said that about 5,000 hot meals and 2,500 blankets, bottled water, and baby care packs were distributed to affected areas throughout the province. Democratic Alliance (DA) Western Cape spokesperson on local government, Dave Bryant, said the party was grateful for the proactive work being carried out by the province's disaster risk management team. "Communities in Saldahna Bay and surrounding areas can count on support both from the local municipality as well as the Western Cape government, during this period of inclement weather." The City of Cape Town is now preparing for another cold front, which could cause more flooding when it makes landfall on Thursday. City disaster risk management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said: "The Disaster Risk Management Centre received the following additional warnings from the South African weather service, a yellow level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall expected over the Western Cape from Thursday into Sunday." Powell said yellow level two warnings for damaging winds and waves were expected between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas on Friday, and between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay on Saturday until Monday morning.