Looming hydrological drought

Water levels in some of Namibia’s border rivers have now reached levels that are very low for this time of the year, while the average level of Namibia’s storage dams stands at only 54.8%.

According to the latest flood bulletin issued by the hydrological services the border levels with low water levels include the Zambezi, the lower Orange and the Okavango.

It warned that a looming hydrological drought might occur if rainfall conditions do not improve, pointing out that supply dams as Hardap, Swakopppoort, Von Bach, Omatako, Tilda Viljoen, Daan Viljoen and Otjivero did not received good inflow.

“Activation of contingency plans for hydrological drought mitigations is highly advised.”

The low river levels does not only hold a threat to wildlife and animals surving from and in these waters, but also to the livelihoods to communities who for instance depend on fishing for subsistence.

Futhermore, it can impact on tourism related activities such as boat cruises and tiger fishing.

The water level of the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo decreased by 6cm over the weekend and recorded a water level of 1.33m on Monday morning.

The Okavango River at Rundu has increased and recorded a to a water level of 5.34m by this morning.

The Kunene River at Ruacana recorded a flow of 355.30mᶟ/s this morning.

The water levels of the lower Orange River at Blouputs recorded 0.51m, while Sendelingsdrift recorded 0.42m on Monday morning.

“The released water from Vanderkloof Dam have reached Blouputs and Sendelingsdrift. However, it is important to note that the river level remains low and users should take note of the fluctuating low levels and take the necessary precautionary measures.”

Meanwhile NamWater’s dam bulletin indicates that the Central Area of Namibia now stands at 22.6% of its capacity. This is compared to the previous season when it was 42.8% full.

The Swakoppooort Dam is at 38.6% of its capacity, the Von Bach Dam is 11.1% full and the Omatako Dam is at 0.4%.

This three-dam system supplies Windhoek with water and the total average level of the these dams stands at 19.4% compared to last season when they averaged a level of 40.2%.

Meanwhile the Friedenhau Dam is 55% full, and the Goreangab Dam is at 102%.

In the South the average level of the dams stands at 62%, compared to last season when it was 77.7% full.

The Neckartal Dam, which is Namibia’s largest dam, is at 83.5% of its capacity. Last season it was 93.7% full.

The level of the Hardap Dam near Mariental has dropped to a mere 11.7% and when it reaches about 6% of its capacity all raw water to the Hardap Dam Scheme will stop.

The Naute Dam is at 39.3%, the Oanob Dam is 42.3% full, while both the Dreihuk Dam and the Bondels Dam is empty.

In the east of the country, the total average of the dam levels are only 3.4% and last season it was 10.6% full.

The Otjivero Main Dam is 4.5% full, the Tilda Viljoen Dam is 4.5% full and the Daan Viljoen Dam stands at 5.5%.

In other parts of the country the Olushandja Dam in the Oshana Region is 36.6% full, compared to last season’s 18.6%.

The Namibia Meteorological Services Moderate to heavy falls expected to persist in the Kunene, Erongo, Otjozondjupa, Khomas, Omaheke and the south-east in places.