December rains above average
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The rainfall recorded from October to December was above average in most parts of the country.
This is especially true for the northern, eastern and south-eastern regions, according to the December rainfall bulletin issued by the Meteorological Service.
Below average rainfall was received in the western part of the country, as well as parts of the Omaheke, Zambezi and Kavango West regions.
The bulletin adds that most of Namibia received normal to above-normal rainfall during December, with the exception of the western areas.
The highest rainfall within 24 hours was recorded at Okahua in the Khomas Region (131.1 mm), followed by Eiseb in the Omaheke Region (104 mm), Rundu in the Kavango East Region (83.1 mm), Iimenau in Otjozondjupa (75 mm), Kaisosi in Kavango East (67 mm), and Choantsas in Oshikoto (61 mm).
Economic outlook
Meanwhile Agribank says in an Economic Outlook that Namibia has felt the impact of La Niña since December.
La Niña is generally associated with a higher probability of above-average rainfall. “We are optimistic that the remainder of the 2020/2021 rainy season will record good showers. Good rainfall is welcomed after a prolonged drought which stressed water supply for agriculture and consumption. This improves prospects for agricultural production output and may attract investment in the sector,” the bank stated.
Agribank said the good rainy season enables the bank to provide funding to support the sector while at the same time improving its financial metrics.
“Notwithstanding this, floods due to heavy rainfall remain a risk to the agriculture sector, estate industry and road infrastructures.”
The bank said inflation is expected to hover around 3% to 3.5% in 2021.
However, the good rainy season is expected to contain food inflation, mainly due to stable cereal prices and subdued prices for fruit and vegetables.
“If the projected food growth is hindered by floods and pests, we expect food prices to continue their upward trajectory.”
WINDHOEK
The rainfall recorded from October to December was above average in most parts of the country.
This is especially true for the northern, eastern and south-eastern regions, according to the December rainfall bulletin issued by the Meteorological Service.
Below average rainfall was received in the western part of the country, as well as parts of the Omaheke, Zambezi and Kavango West regions.
The bulletin adds that most of Namibia received normal to above-normal rainfall during December, with the exception of the western areas.
The highest rainfall within 24 hours was recorded at Okahua in the Khomas Region (131.1 mm), followed by Eiseb in the Omaheke Region (104 mm), Rundu in the Kavango East Region (83.1 mm), Iimenau in Otjozondjupa (75 mm), Kaisosi in Kavango East (67 mm), and Choantsas in Oshikoto (61 mm).
Economic outlook
Meanwhile Agribank says in an Economic Outlook that Namibia has felt the impact of La Niña since December.
La Niña is generally associated with a higher probability of above-average rainfall. “We are optimistic that the remainder of the 2020/2021 rainy season will record good showers. Good rainfall is welcomed after a prolonged drought which stressed water supply for agriculture and consumption. This improves prospects for agricultural production output and may attract investment in the sector,” the bank stated.
Agribank said the good rainy season enables the bank to provide funding to support the sector while at the same time improving its financial metrics.
“Notwithstanding this, floods due to heavy rainfall remain a risk to the agriculture sector, estate industry and road infrastructures.”
The bank said inflation is expected to hover around 3% to 3.5% in 2021.
However, the good rainy season is expected to contain food inflation, mainly due to stable cereal prices and subdued prices for fruit and vegetables.
“If the projected food growth is hindered by floods and pests, we expect food prices to continue their upward trajectory.”
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