Staff Reporter
THE Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has announced the temporary closure of the Fish River Canyon Hike.
NWR explained that the closure is due to heavy rainfall recorded in the Naute Dam catchment area and the opening of the Naute Dam sluice gates, which may pose a risk to the safety of hikers.
“The closure takes immediate effect and will remain in place until further notice. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the hiking trail until conditions are declared safe,” NWR added.
This comes after the Naute Dam recorded a water level of 116.9% at 06h00 on Sunday and rose to 117.3% by 08h00. This prompted NamWater to open one sluice gate at 0.9 m on Sunday morning.
NamWater’s Andries Kok further revealed that the Hydrology Services calculated that the water is being released into the Fish River at a rate of about 780 m³/s.
Furthermore, the Neckartal Dam is also overflowing, and releasing water into the Fish River. NamWater revealed that the Neckartal Dam recorded a water capacity of 105.7% on Sunday afternoon (15h15), and recorded a spilling rate of 870m³/s.
The public is therefore advised to be very cautious as the Fish River is expected to record a dramatic rise.
OVERFLOWING: Video of Naute Dam on Sunday. Video: NamWater.
