Marthina Mutanga
AS drought conditions worsen, water availability continues to be a serious challenge to livestock and humans.
Margaret Kalo, spokesperson in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, said the dams and reservoirs, as well as other water catchment areas, did not receive significant inflow in the passed rainfall season and as a result, water shortages continue to be reported in various areas of the country.
Boreholes water levels have also dropped significantly, with others exude salty water or no water at all. Complaints of boreholes that are yielding dangerously low are coming in from farmers in especially the Erongo, Omaheke and //Karas Regions.
Kalo said the north central regions (Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati and Ohangwena) are hardest hit when it comes to water supply.
In June 2019, the Namibia Water Corporation started pumping water from Olushandja/Etaka dam to Uuvudhiya for livestock consumption.
The water was expected to reach Lake Oponona in the Uuvudhiya Constituency by last month after filling up different wells and earth dams along the way.
This exercise is in response to the drought situation especially in Oshana and Omusati where livestock have been travelling long distances in search of water.
As at 29 July 2019, most dams and reservoirs levels were low due to less inflow received this season compared to the corresponding period last year.
