Hydrological drought is coming

Some of Namibia’s border rivers are currently reaching very low levels for this time of year, while the average level of the country’s dams is only 54.8% full.

According to the latest flood bulletin issued by Namibia’s hydrological department, border rivers with low water levels include the Zambezi, Lower Orange and Kavango rivers.

The report warned of the possibility of hydrological drought if rainfall conditions did not improve, noting poor inflows to water supply dams such as Hardap, Swakopppoort, Von Bach, Omatako, Tilda Viljoen, Daan Viljoen and Otjivero.

“It is strongly recommended that emergency plans for mitigation of hydrological drought be activated.”

Dam water level

NamWater’s dam bulletin shows that reservoirs in central Namibia are currently at just 22.6% of capacity. Last season, reservoirs were at 42.8%.

The Swakopt Dam is at 38.6 percent capacity, the Von Bach Dam is at 11.1 percent capacity and the Omatako Dam is at 0.4 percent capacity.

The three dam system, which supplies Windhoek with water, had an overall average level of 19.4 per cent full, compared with 40.2 per cent last season.

Meanwhile, the Friedenhall Dam is at 55% capacity and the Goringab Dam is at 102%.

In the south, dam levels averaged 62% full, compared with 77.7% in the previous season.

The Nekatar Dam, Namibia’s largest dam, is currently at 83.5% capacity. Last quarter, the dam was at 93.7%.

The water level at the Hardap Dam near Mariental has dropped to just 11.7%. All planned raw water supplies from the Hardap Dam will stop when the dam level drops to about 6%.

Naute Dam is at 39.3% and Oanob Dam is at 42.3%, while Dreihuk Dam and Bondels Dam are both dry. In the east of the country, the overall average for dam levels is just 3.4%, compared to 10.6% in the previous season.

Ochiwiro Main Dam is at 4.5%, Tilda Viljoen Dam is at 4.5% and Daan Viljoen Dam is at 5.5%. Elsewhere in the country, Olushanja Dam in Oshana region is at 36.6% compared to 18.6% in the previous season.

According to the Namibian Meteorological Service, moderate to heavy rains are expected to continue in the Kunene, Erongo, Otjozondjupa, Khomas and Omaheke regions and parts of the southeastern part of the country.