Communities in the Nkomazi area of Mpumalanga are being urged to exercise extreme caution as persistent rainfall continues to raise dam levels and river flows across the region.

Recent data recorded on 27 November 2025 shows that both the Vygeboom Dam in Badplaas, Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality, and the Maguga Dam in the Kingdom of Eswatini are spilling. Maguga Dam was measured at 100.81%, with an inflow of 211.90 m³/s, while Vygeboom Dam recorded 103.55%. The Hooggenoeg Station downstream of Vygeboom measured flows of 89.795 m³/s.

According to the Komati Basin Water Authority (KOBWA), continuous rainfall in the region has created potentially hazardous conditions. KOBWA spokesperson Ms Khetiwe Ngcobo has urged communities in both countries to remain vigilant, avoid low-lying bridges and prepare for high water flows—particularly farming communities located along the Komati River.

Meanwhile, the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), through the Provincial Joint Operations Committee, is monitoring hailstorms and heavy rainfall across Mpumalanga.

Preliminary reports indicate damage to 127 houses across several municipalities, a collapsed fence at Mapulaneng Hospital in Bushbuckridge, roof damage at Themba Hospital in Mbombela, and infrastructure damage at Driefontein Clinic in Mkhondo. No fatalities have been reported.

CoGHSTA MEC Speed Mashilo said the department remains ready to respond to life-threatening emergencies. Early assessments show that affected households may require assistance ranging from government-subsidised housing repairs and property replacement to road rehabilitation and improved stormwater systems.

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre has already supplied district disaster centres with relief materials, supported affected households, and initiated programmes to clear blocked stormwater systems on municipal and provincial roads.

Water authorities and disaster teams, supported by the Department of Water and Sanitation, KOBWA and the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA), continue to closely monitor rising dam levels.

“Our emergency and disaster teams are on full alert at all levels to ensure that we save lives and restore people’s livelihoods,” MEC Mashilo said.

Residents are urged to remain cautious, particularly near rivers, dams, low-lying bridges and flood-prone areas as rainfall persists.