Middle Letaba Dam overflowing

The Nwamanungu, known as the Middle Letaba Dam outside Giyani, Limpopo, has reached 100% capacity and is now overflowing for the first time in 26 years.

Located on the Middle Letaba River, about 40 km east of Elim and 40 km west of Giyani, the dam plays a crucial role in supplying water for irrigation and domestic use to surrounding communities.

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Following persistent rainfall across parts of Limpopo, water has begun cascading over the dam’s spillway.

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The dam has historically struggled with low water levels and has rarely reached full capacity since its completion in 1984. As recently as May 2025, water levels were critically low at around 8%, making the current overflow a remarkable turnaround for the important water source.

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The overflowing comes as the South African Weather Services has issued level 4 to 2 warnings from March 14 to March 15.This means the potential for road flooding and danger to life remains high, alongside the displacement of communities and substantial traffic disruption.

Meanwhile, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has also acknowledged the developments at the Nwamanungu Dam.

“Significantly, the province has observed the Nwamanungu (Middle Letaba) Dam overflowing for the first time in years, posing a dire threat to communities previously spared from such floods.”