Staff Reporter
THE Lower Orange River’s water level at Blouputs has decreased by more than five metres (m) in the last two weeks.
This is according to the Hydrological Services of Namibia’s Flood Bulletin, which revealed that the Lower Orange River at Blouputs recorded a water level of 2,21m on Sunday (12 March). This is 5,94m less than what was recorded two weeks ago on 27 February.
Despite this significant decrease, the Hydrological Services of Namibia indicated that the Orange River’s water level still remains high. In fact, the Lower Orange River’s water level at Blouputs is 0,49m higher than it was last year on the same date. The Hydrological Services of Namibia therefore still advises caution for communities near the river, especially for communities downstream of the river.
In the North, the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo has also seen a gradual decrease in water level. According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, the Zambezi River recorded a water level of 4,94m on Monday morning. This is 0,05m less than what was recorded the previous day and 0,28m less than what was recorded on 27 February.
However, in this case too, the river’s water level still remains high. The Hydrological Services of Namibia indicated that the Zambezi River’s water level is 1,24m higher than it was last year on the same date. This high-water level has even resulted in flood waters pushing into the far eastern floodplains of the Zambezi Region.
“High flood alert and readiness is advised for the eastern Zambezi floodplains due to good rainfall development in the upstream part of the Zambezi catchment,” the Hydrological Services of Namibia warned.
