Staff Reporter
MAJOR roads to tourism destinations in north-eastern regions are closed due to rain damage after good rains were recorded in the drought-stricken region for the past eight years.
According to the Roads Authority, the MR76 road between Uis and Khorixas, the M126 road in the Khorixas area, the D2612 road in the Twyfelfontein area and the MR128 road between Palmwag and Sesfontein will remain closed until further notice. The DR2628 road, which links the MR126 and D2612, has also been closed temporarily to all traffic.
Several regions received significant rainfall, with the Spitzkoppe in the Erongo region boasting a record 62,5 mm.
On Wednesday, Khorixas, Konob Pos, Outjo and Fransfontein recorded 30,7 mm, 17,2 mm, 17,8 mm and 17,2 mm of rain respectively, according to the Namibia Meteorological Services. The region’s isolated thunderstorms will continue throughout the week.
The Khomas region also received significant rainfall this week. On Monday, Windhoek recorded 7,4 mm of rain, which doubled to 14,4 mm on Tuesday and 21 mm by Wednesday.
According to NamWater’s latest flood bulletin, these heavy rains resulted in rivers flooding in the capital.
“The Arebbusch River at Monrovia peaked on Sunday at 19:00 with 0,72 m,” NamWater stated.
By Tuesday morning, Monrovia’s water level was at 0,55 m.
Omateva and Okahua, in the Khomas region, recorded 30 mm and 23 mm respectively on Wednesday morning.
However, the Spitzkoppe recorded the highest rainfall.
In the Hardap region, Hohenfelde recorded the second-highest rainfall of 42 mm on Wednesday, which is equivalent to the cumulative rainfall that Windhoek received from Monday to Wednesday. In addition, Maltahöhe and Rehoboth recorded 37 mm and 29,4 mm of rain respectively.
NamWater said the country’s major dams received significant inflow due to the heavy rains.
The Hardap Dam stood at 71,9% on Wednesday afternoon, translating to 211 810 m³.
