A general view of rising water at the Vaal Dam on March 11, 2014 in Johannesburg.
JOHANNESBURG – Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has opened two sluice gates at the Vaal Dam and issued a flood warning in preparation.
This week the Vaal Dam's levels exceeded 85 percent – the highest they have been in two years.
On Sunday afternoon, the event drew crowds of people.
Another angle of the #vaaldam gates being opened. Levels have reached 100% pic.twitter.com/uEbwEX0Cmf
— Mpiletso Motumi (@mane_mpi) February 26, 2017
Sluice gates opened of the Vaaldam pic.twitter.com/mVGyfbuEEu
— John Bailey (@johnbailey71) February 26, 2017
Mokonyane told gatherers: "I trust the lessons learnt on responsible water use will become a norm and a way of life for us all."
She also thanked Gauteng residents for adhering to water restrictions, stating: "Gauteng water restrictions are lifted immediately."
-- VAAL DAM draws HUGE CROWDS on Sunday afternoon hoping to catch a glimpse of the sluice gates opening | --Charl du Plessis & Sherley Matlou. pic.twitter.com/n8dqe7yMW4
— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) February 26, 2017
"This in line with our assessments that a full recovery from the drought will be seen in two to three years' time."
Dam levels across the country have fallen dramatically over the past year as a result of the drought.
#VaalDam is only 1 of 14 dams in the #Vaal river system - we still need to #SaveWater - #WaterShortage problems are far from over https://t.co/l5WTgTw85C
— CICA - Crime Intel (@CICArsa) February 26, 2017
