Dams get inflow, flood levels remain high
Floodwater already higher than previous years
"This year's water levels are much higher than the levels reached during the same period in 2009, 2010 and 2011, but have not yet reached the maximum levels of 2011," the flood bulletin said.
While dams are slowly but surely starting to receive more water, floodwater in the north has already reached levels higher than that of previous years.
Dams in the central areas of Namibia recorded inflow of more than four million cubic metres of water this past week.
The total average level of Namibia’s dams at the beginning of the week stood at 70.5%, in comparison to last season’s 84.3%.
According to the latest dam bulletin issued by NamWater on Monday, seven of the country’s storage dams recorded inflows last week.
In the central areas, the average dam level stood at 45.1%, compared to last season when it was 62.1% full.
The Swakoppoort Dam is now at 77.2% of its capacity after receiving an inflow of more than 2.5 million cubic metres, while the Von Bach Dam recorded an inflow of 0.086 million cubic metres and is 29.6% full.
The Omatako Dam is at 5.5% and it received more than 1.3 million cubic metres of water, while the Friendenhau Dam is 76.2% full and had an inflow of 0.068 million cubic metres of water.
The Goreangab Dam is at 102.8% and received an inflow of 0.047 million cubic metres.
Other dams
In the south, the average level of the dams stands at 78.8%, compared to last season’s 93.1%.
The eastern dams currently stand at an average of 13.4% - almost half of last year’s 26.5%.
In other parts of the country, the Olushandja Dam in the Oshana Region is 15% full, compared to last season’s 15.2%.
Both the Omaruru Delta Dam in Erongo and the Omatjenne Dam in Otjozondjupa are empty, the same as last season.
Flood higher than other years
According to the flood bulletin, water levels in the upper central and eastern parts of the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin are stabilising; however, they remain high.
“The water level at Okatana decreased to 1.15 metres while at the Okandjengedi Bridge - located between Oshakati and Ongwediva - it decreased to 2.13m this morning [Monday].”
“This year’s water levels are much higher than the levels reached during the same period in 2009, 2010 and 2011, but have not yet reached the maximum levels of 2011.”
The flooding situation and rainfall development should be closely monitored during this rainy season, the bulletin added.
Meanwhile, multi-hazard contingency plans for Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati should be activated, while communities living in flood-prone areas in these regions are advised to be on alert for possible high floodwater, it said.
Dams in the central areas of Namibia recorded inflow of more than four million cubic metres of water this past week.
The total average level of Namibia’s dams at the beginning of the week stood at 70.5%, in comparison to last season’s 84.3%.
According to the latest dam bulletin issued by NamWater on Monday, seven of the country’s storage dams recorded inflows last week.
In the central areas, the average dam level stood at 45.1%, compared to last season when it was 62.1% full.
The Swakoppoort Dam is now at 77.2% of its capacity after receiving an inflow of more than 2.5 million cubic metres, while the Von Bach Dam recorded an inflow of 0.086 million cubic metres and is 29.6% full.
The Omatako Dam is at 5.5% and it received more than 1.3 million cubic metres of water, while the Friendenhau Dam is 76.2% full and had an inflow of 0.068 million cubic metres of water.
The Goreangab Dam is at 102.8% and received an inflow of 0.047 million cubic metres.
Other dams
In the south, the average level of the dams stands at 78.8%, compared to last season’s 93.1%.
The eastern dams currently stand at an average of 13.4% - almost half of last year’s 26.5%.
In other parts of the country, the Olushandja Dam in the Oshana Region is 15% full, compared to last season’s 15.2%.
Both the Omaruru Delta Dam in Erongo and the Omatjenne Dam in Otjozondjupa are empty, the same as last season.
Flood higher than other years
According to the flood bulletin, water levels in the upper central and eastern parts of the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin are stabilising; however, they remain high.
“The water level at Okatana decreased to 1.15 metres while at the Okandjengedi Bridge - located between Oshakati and Ongwediva - it decreased to 2.13m this morning [Monday].”
“This year’s water levels are much higher than the levels reached during the same period in 2009, 2010 and 2011, but have not yet reached the maximum levels of 2011.”
The flooding situation and rainfall development should be closely monitored during this rainy season, the bulletin added.
Meanwhile, multi-hazard contingency plans for Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati should be activated, while communities living in flood-prone areas in these regions are advised to be on alert for possible high floodwater, it said.
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