Staff Reporter
THE Kunene region has been exceptionally fortunate this week, as many areas in the region received substantial, widespread rainfall.
According to Namibia Meteorological Services, Konop Pos, Outjo, Sesfontein, Mopanie Pos and Khorixas recorded 54,5 mm, 52,2 mm, 20,3 mm, 14,2 mm and 2,6 mm of rainfall from Tuesday to Thursday respectively.
Gondwana Collection Namibia also confirmed that the Etosha Safari Park, which is also situated in the Kunene region, recorded 29 mm of rainfall on Tuesday, 20 mm on Wednesday and 12 mm on Thursday.
Northern rains: Rain at Etosha Safari Park and the flowing northern rivers. Photo: Gondwana Collection Namibia and Facebook (Puros Bush Lodge & Camp and Linda Du Plooy) 
Northern rains: Rain at Etosha Safari Park and the flowing northern rivers. Photo: Gondwana Collection Namibia and Facebook (Puros Bush Lodge & Camp and Linda Du Plooy) 
Northern rains: Rain at Etosha Safari Park and the flowing northern rivers. Photo: Gondwana Collection Namibia and Facebook (Puros Bush Lodge & Camp and Linda Du Plooy)
The region’s heavy rains also boosted the flow of many of the region’s rivers. The Ugab, Hoanib and Hoarusib rivers were the subject of much appreciation this week as photos and videos of these rivers were widely shared on social media. “So blessed. What a sight!” one person commented on the photo of the Hoarusib River.
The Oshana region also stands out in terms of this week’s rainfall figures.
According to Namibia Meteorological Services, Oshakati recorded 48,4 mm of rain on Thursday, while Ondangwa recorded 2,4 mm and 15,4 mm of rain on Wednesday and Thursday.
The rest of the northern regions also received substantial rainfall, with Okahao, in the Omusati region, recording 29 mm of rain and Namutoni Resort, in the Oshikoto region, recording 36,5 mm of rain on Thursday.
Furthermore, in the Ohangwena region, Oshikango recorded 32,4 mm of rain on Thursday, while Onghwiyu recorded 19 mm on Wednesday morning.
In the northeast, Nkurenkuru, in the Kavango West, recorded 6 mm of rain from Tuesday to Thursday, while Bagani, in the Kavango East, recorded 5,4 mm of rainfall on Tuesday, according to Namibia Meteorological Services.
In addition, 2,6 mm of rain was recorded at the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre (ZVTC) on Tuesday.
The rain has somewhat subsided in the north-eastern regions this week in comparison to last week. Despite this, NamWater still cautioned that a flood could occur at the eastern Zambezi floodplains, due to the rapidly rising water level of the Zambezi River. The river was already overflowing last week, as a result of the heavy rains, and it stood at 4,75 m on Thursday.
The flood warning does not just apply to the Zambezi region. According to Namibia Meteorological Services, flash-flooding is also likely to occur in the rest of the northern regions, as well as the Central High grounds and the Hardap region, as the heavy rains continue.
The public is therefore advised to take the necessary precautions and to stay alert.
