Widespread thunderstorms expected in central, north-western areas

The Namibia Meteorological Service warns that flash floods may occur in some areas today due to moderate to widespread thunderstorms expected in central and north-western parts of the country, including the Otjozondjupa and Khomas regions.In the Otavi Valley, 80 mm of rain was recorded yesterday morning, while the Hohental farm in the district received 65 mm. Otavi recorded 52 mm and Kombat measured 55 mm.The maize triangle also saw rainfall, with Grootfontein receiving 14 mm and Tsumeb Airport 4.5 mm.Etosha National Park experienced significant rainfall, with Halali recording 60.5 mm, Okaukuejo 26.5 mm, Ombika 23 mm and Van Lindequest Gate 5.5 mm.In the Outjo district, Belalaika farm recorded 20 mm, as did farms about 70 km outside Outjo in the direction of Khorixas. Outjo received 14 mm.Otjiwarongo recorded 12 to 20 mm, while farms in the district received up to 28 mm.About 35 km east of Omaruru, 9 mm was measured. West of Okahandja on the Karibib road, 17 mm was recorded, while further west, both Karibib and Usakos received 4 mm each.In the far north, the Olushandja Dam between Ruacana and Outapi recorded 65 mm of rainfall. The dam level now stands at 38.1%, compared to 43.4% at the same time last year.Rainfall and dam levelsIn the north-east, the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre recorded 30 mm of rain, Katima Mulilo 24 mm, Nkasa Rupara National Park 13 mm and Caprivi River Lodge 9 mm.In the arid south, the Stokkiesdraai farm near the Swartrante area of Maltahöhe received a welcome 11 mm, while the town itself recorded 10 mm.Windhoek recorded up to 25 mm of rain in some areas. Three dams – Friedenau, Neckartal and Oanob – have shown notable increases in water levels over the past week.According to NamWater’s latest weekly dam bulletin, the Neckartal Dam saw an increase of 0.728 million cubic metres (mm³), bringing its level to 79.8%. The Oanob Dam rose by 0.319 mm³ and is now 32.9% full. Friedenau Dam recorded an inflow of 0.047 mm³, raising its current capacity to 46.1%.Overall, Namibia’s dams are 52.4% full, compared to 57.4% this time last year.Critical levelsThe dams supplying central Namibia remain critically low at just 18.8% capacity, with Swakoppoort at 24.3%, Von Bach at 24.6% and Omatako at only 4.4%. Water is still being pumped from northern sources to the Von Bach Dam, but no longer from Swakoppoort.In the east, dam levels remain alarmingly low at just 1.6% collectively. The Daan Viljoen Dam is at 10.2%, while the Tilda Viljoen Dam in Gobabis is completely dry.In the south, the Hardap Dam is at 14.8%, while the Naute Dam stands at 27%, compared to 44% last year.— francoise@nmh.com.na

Widespread thunderstorms expected in central, north-western areas

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

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Widespread thunderstorms expected in central, north-western areas

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

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