Staff Reporter
COMMUNITIES near the Zambezi River are urged to be cautious as the river continues to rise rapidly, recording a water level of 6.76 metres (m) on Tuesday morning, 10 March 2026.
This is significantly higher than the 3.99m recorded last Tuesday, 3 March 2026. However, the river’s current level is not only notable compared with last week’s reading, but also when measured against levels recorded in previous years. According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia’s reports from recent years, the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo recorded water levels of 2.16m in 2025, 1.61m in 2024 and 5.03m in 2023.
ZAMBEZI RIVER: Video shows the Zambezi River in Katima Mulilo on Monday, 9 March 2026. Video: Facebook (Chibbi Champa Sankwasa).
“The current level remains significantly higher than the 2.16m recorded last year and the levels recorded during the same period over the past five years. The river has now overflowed its banks and water is spreading into the eastern Zambezi floodplains. A flood alert is therefore advised for the eastern Zambezi floodplains. Communities are advised to remain on high alert and activate flood preparedness and response measures,” the Hydrological Services of Namibia warned.
However, the warning is not limited to communities along the Zambezi River. The Hydrological Services of Namibia recommended that multi-hazard contingency plans for flood risk mitigation, preparedness and recovery be activated in flood-prone areas across the country.
“Flood-prone areas in Namibia include the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin, the Okavango River and its banks, the Zambezi River banks and eastern Zambezi floodplains, the Lower Kuiseb Catchment, the Hardap–Mariental area, the Lower Orange River, and the Kunene River,” the Hydrological Services added.
Water levels in the Kavango and Orange rivers are also higher than those recorded in previous years during the same period.
According to the Hydrological Services, the Kavango River at Rundu recorded a water level of 6.73m on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, slightly higher than the 6.35m recorded on the same date in 2025, as well as the 5.55m recorded on 10 March 2024 and the 4.64m recorded on 11 March 2023.
Meanwhile, the Orange River at Sendelingsdrift recorded a water level of 2.57m on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, which is also higher than the 0.45m and 0.27m recorded on the same dates in 2025 and 2024 respectively.
