Heavy rain, flooding expected this week

ELLANIE SMITWINDHOEKThe weather bureau has warns that heavy rain with localised flooding is likely in the Omaheke Region tomorrow.This will spread to the central-northern areas, the Zambezi, Kavango, Otjozondjupa, Khomas and the Hardap Regions on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Eloise has hit Mozambique, bringing rain and powerful winds of around 130 kilometres per hour.Forecasters believe it will now move toward Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.Eloise was expected to reach South Africa yesterday.The South African Weather Service yesterday warned residents in some parts of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo to expect strong winds and flash floods as Eloise made its way inland.There was extensive flood damage in Mozambique's coastal city of Beira when the cyclone hit the country on Saturday.In Namibia, Eloise is expected to bring more rain but it will not have the same impact as Tropical Storm Chalane did.Dam visitsNamWater has also announced that the public is now allowed to visit the Neckartal Dam every day.The public can visit the dam from 09:00 to 09:15, 12:00 to 12:15 and from 15:00 to 15:15.All persons entering will be tested for alcohol and no alcohol is allowed in the vehicle. An indemnity form must be signed at the entrance gate. NamWater added that the distance of the gravel road from the security gate to the main dam wall is 30 km and that the road is in a poor condition and not suitable for sedan vehicles.Security guards and the police will be on hand to ensure that the public adhere to the coronavirus regulations and will arrest anyone who crosses the safety rails or enter any unauthorised site.The Neckartal Dam was still overflowing on Saturday and was 101.1% full on Friday.Rivers risingThe hydrological service says Namibia’s northern border rivers, the Kunene, Okavango and Zambezi, are gradually rising.“Flows on the Lower Orange River are expected to rise due to forecasted heavy rains and floods in its upper catchment in South Africa.”It said communities along the river must be on alert for possible flooding.“Contingency planning for flood mitigation and recovery must be activated in all the flood-prone regions in anticipation of forecasted heavy rainfall in the coming weeks.”

Heavy rain, flooding expected this week

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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Heavy rain, flooding expected this week

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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