Staff Reporter
ALERTNESS and close monitoring for possible high floods on the lower part of the Fish River and the Lower Orange should remain in place, with roads closed, motorists travelling from and to Oranjemund having to take major detours and animals stranded.
The warning was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
The horses and their foals that were stuck on islands created at Alexander Bay due to flooding were all safely rescued on Tuesday by members of the Have a Heart Equine Sanctuary in the Western Cape.
According to Marc Ward from Have a Heart, the team had a close call when they managed to save a foal from drowning in the nick of time but all the animals are in good condition.
Neighbouring South Africa has received heavy rainfall for weeks causing overflowing rivers and dam bursts, severely impacting the Orange River.
The MR118 between Oranjemund and Rosh Pinah that was closed by the Roads Authority due to the river overflowing at points was reopened on Tuesday.
Namdeb had in the meanwhile permitted temporary travel through the Sperrgebiet on what is known as the Chamois road.
Oranjemund residents, however, said the MR118 will most probably be closed again within less than a day as the river levels are expected to rise again this week, starting 3 February.
Marie Stoltz of the Oryx Guesthouse in Oranjemund said no flood damage was reported in the town but detours due to the road closure are costly.
Motorists driving from Keetmanshoop to Oranjemund have to go via Lüderitz, from where it is a gravel road to the town on the banks of the Orange River.
The temporary closure of the border crossing at Alexander Bay on the South African side due to Covid-19 regulations has caused further inconvenience for motorists travelling between Namibia and South Africa.
Countrywide contingency planning for flood mitigation and recovery must be activated for flood-prone areas as more rains are forecasted for the rainy season, the Ministry said.
Communities are advised to be on high alert for possible flood risks and take the necessary precautionary measures.
The total content of the major water supply dams in the southern part of the country is relatively high and stood at 91% on Monday morning.
Dam operators are advised to upscale flood control management for flood risk mitigation and early warning to communities living downstream.
Satellite images over the past 72 hours indicate heavy rains over Namibia’s north-central and northeastern parts.
Heavy rains were forecasted for the east and southern regions of Namibia on Tuesday.
The Zambezi River level at Katima Mulilo is rapidly rising due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area.
The water level has risen to 1.77 m and is currently above normal.
Localised heavy floods in Katima Mulilo have been reported since Thursday last week.
The Okavango River at Rundu is gradually rising and recorded 4.65 m. Water levels are higher compared to the same period last year.
Flows in the Kunene River remain low during this time of the year.
The country’s major dams received significant inflow due to heavy rains and floods in their catchment areas over the past few weeks.
On Monday, the Naute Dam stood at 102.1%, the Neckartal Dam at 99.1%, the Swakoppoort Dam at 79% and the Hardap Dam at 70.1%
The total content of the country’s major water supply dams stood at 82.3%.
