Staff reporter
NAMWATER has warned that a serious flood could occur at the Lower Orange River due to recent heavy rains, releases and spillages from certain dams.
According to Namwater’s recent hydrology flood bulletin, the “total content of the major water supply dams in the southern part of the country is relatively high and currently stands at 91%”. These dams include the Hardap, Naute and the Neckartal Dam, which stood at 71,3%, 101,8% and 100,72% water capacity respectively on Monday.
Due to the high water capacity, Namwater made a Dam release from the Naute and Hardap Dam over the weekend. The release from the Hardap Dam partly contributed to the spilling that occurred at Neckartal Dam on Monday at 11:40a.m, which in turn further contributed to the rise of water levels at the Orange River.
The bulletin further notes that the Bloemhof and Vanderkloof Dam in South Africa also contributed to the rising water levels of the Orange River. According to South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation, the Vaal Dam and Bloemhof’s storage capacity stood at 111% on Friday.
Dam operators are advised to upscale flood control management for risk mitigation and communities living in the lower part of the Orange Fish catchment are encouraged to be alert.
Nawater further stated that “satellite images over the past weekend indicate heavy rainfall over the west-central and southwestern parts of Namibia”.
