Staff Reporter
Widespread heavy showers and hailstorms were recorded this weekend, leading to flooded and damaged roads in some areas – and more severe showers expected next week.
According to the Namibia Meteorological Service, severe thunderstorms are expected in various regions from the north to the south on Monday. These conditions are likely to result in flash floods, and the public is urged to remain vigilant.
This weekend already brought widespread showers to many interior areas, with some places recording over 50 mm of rain in a day, leaving certain roads inaccessible due to accumulated floodwaters.
WEEKEND SHOWERS: Photos show the aftermath of weekend showers. Photos: contributed and Facebook (Harold Marais Mukwena, Moiselle Klein, Roads Authority, Jonathan Thomas, Liane’ Odendaal Smit, Toni K Hart, Toya Louw, Adri Bruwer, Elbie Taljaard, Rolf Beiter).
The southern parts of the country were among the hardest hit by the weekend’s rainfall. This includes Gocharus near Koës in the //Kharas Region, which recorded 60 mm of rain on Friday, followed by an additional 22 mm of rain on Saturday. Several other southern areas also witnessed notable rainfall this weekend, including Kalahari Anib Lodge and Mariental in the Hardap Region, as well as Zabubegas and Keetmanshoop in the //Kharas Region.
The intense rainfall in the southern regions has resulted in damage and flooding of several roads, making them inaccessible, with the Roads Authority (RA) closing some. These include District Road 205 (DR205), District Road 269 (DR269) north of Ariamsvlei, and Main Road 25 (MR25) between Karasburg and Aroab.
“The RA is actively monitoring the affected areas and will undertake necessary assessments and repairs as conditions permit. Furthermore, the public is advised to avoid flooded roads, adhere to road closure signage, and stay informed through official RA communication channels,” the Roads Authority added.
The Erongo Region was also among the most heavily affected by this weekend’s rainfall, with some areas in the region experiencing heavy rainfall and hailstorms. A farm near Usakos recorded 60 mm of rain on Saturday, along with hail. Kuiseb Canyon also received significant rainfall this weekend, which revived the river in the area.
The southern and western parts of the country were, however, not the only areas affected by this weekend’s heavy rainfall. Windhoek also experienced consistent rainfall this weekend, with some parts of the capital reportedly recording between 30 mm and 50 mm of rain over the weekend. Other central areas, such as Omeya, also recorded substantial rainfall.
The Namibia Meteorological Service predicted that more severe thunderstorms are expected in places over the north-western, central-northern, Otjozondjupa, central, central-eastern, Hardap and south-eastern regions on Monday, with a likelihood of flash floods. The public is advised to remain on high alert.
