Heavy rains expected till March

ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

Record amounts of rainfall have been recorded within the first two weeks of January in Namibia, and the country can expect heavy rainfall until March.

A supplementary rainfall bulletin issued by the Namibian Meteorological Service for 1 to 17 January indicated that at least 12 towns recorded more than 200mm of rain during this period.

Rundu recorded the highest rainfall of 406mm – this compared to its average January rainfall of 156.1mm.

According to the bulletin, a deep low pressure was established over Namibia and further deepened during the first week of January, while a tropical depression Ex-Chalane from Mozambique moved across Zimbabwe, Botswana and into eastern and south-eastern parts of Namibia.

“This resulted in significant rain in the north, central and southern regions where flash floods were reported, especially in the south and eastern parts of the country.”

Rain continued in the second week of January, where heavy falls were recorded in the northeast, central and southern regions, it said.

Dry air sets in

However, dry air set in over the central areas and southern regions in the last part of the second week of January.

According to the bulletin, the north-western parts and central-north were mostly under dry conditions during the second week of January.

A new record of 102mm within 24 hours was observed at Farm Naos in the //Karas Region and 98mm at Farm Otjirukaku in Otjozondjupa.

Above average rainfall was also observed over most of //Karas, Hardap, Khomas, Omaheke, Kavango West and East, as well as parts of Otjizondjupa, during the period under review, the bulletin said.

However, below average rainfall was observed over the extreme western areas of Erongo, Kunene, Omusati as well as northern regions.

“This may have negative impacts on the cropping season if these regions do not receive rain during this rainfall season.”

Blessed Keetmans

According to the bulletin, the heaviest rainfall was concentrated southeast of Keetmanshoop with most analysed places reporting three or five times more than their average monthly rainfall.

“Again, this also translates to above average annual rainfall and twice the annual rainfall in some stances.”

Furthermore, most places in southern Omaheke, Hardap and Khomas reported twice - and in a few places - three times the monthly average rainfall.

Meanwhile, the bulletin noted that little to no rain was observed over Kunene, Omusati and parts of Erongo for the period under review, with the exception of the Okalongo area.

Zambezi, Ohangwena and Oshana received below normal rainfall, while parts of Oshikoto and Kavango West also reported below normal rainfall for the same period.

More rains coming

Meanwhile, rains are expected to set in over the central-north and north west during the third week of the month, from 20 to 24 January.

“Heavy falls are most likely in Tsumkwe constituency, Kavango and Zambezi regions, while moderate rains are expected over the central and southern regions by midweek.”

Climatologist Johan van den Berg of Santam also said heavier rain is again possible in the last week of January - except for the southern and south-western parts.

“Longer-term outlooks are still positive for further heavy falls in the second part of February as well as March, with a possibility of flooding.”