Staff Reporter
THE Lower Orange River at Blouputs is 6,39 metres (m) higher than it was last year this time, and it is expected to rise even more in the coming weeks.
This is according to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, which revealed that the Lower Orange River at Blouputs stood at 8,15m on Monday morning. This is more than double the 3,33m that was recorded last week and more than four times the 1,79m that was recorded last year at the same time.
According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, the flows in the Lower Orange River are expected to remain high in the coming weeks as more releases from upstream dams will be made.
One of the dams that contributed to the significant rise of the Orange River’s water level is the Vaal Dam in South Africa. However, the Hydrological Services of Namibia confirmed that outflows from the Vaal Dam have been reduced as only seven of the dam’s sluice gates are open this week, while 12 were open last week.
Still, considering the river’s rapid rise, communities near the Lower Orange River are advised to remain cautious as a flood is likely to occur in the area.
However, the communities near the Orange River are not the only ones that ought to be cautious. Communities near the Zambezi River are also advised to be alert as the river is overflowing and pushing into the eastern Zambezi floodplains.
The Hydrological Services of Namibia revealed that the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo recorded a water level of 5,22m on Monday morning. This is almost double the 2,68m that was recorded at the river last year at the same time.
“Early high flood alert and readiness is advised for the eastern Zambezi floodplains as river levels are expected to rise due to good rainfall development in the upstream part of the Zambezi catchment,” the Hydrological Services of Namibia added.
