Staff Reporter
COMMUNITIES near the Lower Orange River are advised to be on high alert for possible flooding as the river’s water level has rapidly risen since Friday.
According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, the rapid rise of the Lower Orange River’s water level is due to major overflows and releases made from the Bloemhof, Gariep and Vanderkloof major dams over the past weekend. These releases were made because there was high rainfall development in the main headwaters of the Vaal-Orange System in South Africa.
Even after these releases were made, the capacity of the dams of the Vaal-Orange System still exceeded 100%. By Monday morning, the Bloemhof, Gariep and Vanderkloof major dams recorded a water capacity of 107,7%, 112,32% and 109,32% respectively, while the Vaal Dam stood at 117,5% capacity.
This was confirmed by South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation, which also revealed that a total of 12 gates were opened at the Vaal Dam on Sunday morning. The high dam levels of the Vaal-Orange System, the department explained, is a result of the heavy rain showers experienced in the area.
“Due to the continuing heavy rains in large parts of the country, many rivers are overflowing, and most dams are full and spilling,” South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation added.
The releases from the Vaal-Orange System resulted in the significant rise of the water level of the Lower Orange River at Blouputs, which rose from 0,52m on Friday to 3,33m on Monday morning.
Considering this rapid rise of the Lower Orange River, the Hydrological Services of Namibia urged communities, water users, mines and road users to be on high alert for possible high river flows and flooding. This warning is particularly directed at residents at or near Noordoewer, Aussenkehr and Oranjemund.
However, it is not just the South that has to be on alert for possible flooding. The Hydrological Services of Namibia also advised high flood alert and readiness for those living near the Zambezi River as the first flood wave started at the river last week.
According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo maintains a steady rise. In just a week, the river rose from 4,82m (as recorded on 13 February) to 5,29m on Monday morning. High flood alert is therefore also advised for residents in the area, particularly for those near the eastern Zambezi floodplains, as the river already started overflowing at 4m. The river’s water level is expected to continue rising as more rain is expected in the area.
FLOOD ALERT: Map showing the Vaal -Orange System. Photo: Hydrological Services of Namibia.
