Kunene finally receives rain
The drought-stricken Kunene Region finally received rain in February, with most places recording two to three times the usual amount for the month.
According to the Rainfall Bulletin for February by the Namibia Meteorological Service, the Erongo and southern regions received two to four times the average amount of rainfall for the month, with the exception of the far southwestern areas.
“However, after an exceptional rainfall performance during January, the Zambezi Region received little to no rain during February.”
According to the report, after a consistent below-average rainfall performance with an escalating rainfall deficit, the Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto regions for the first time this rainy season received average rainfall for the month.
On a seasonal scale (1 October 2021 to 28 February 2022), the performance of rainfall from the Tsumkwe area through Gam to Eiseb was mainly below average, which can easily lead to water challenges, the report states.
Crop failure fears
The rainfall received to date did not normalise the situation in Omusati and parts of the Oshana and western Ohangwena regions.
“Hence the risk of crop failure and water availability remains a major concern.”
The Hydrological Service of Namibia further says that the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is rising rapidly due to persistent rains in its catchment area over the past few days and recorded 3.35 metres on Thursday morning.
The Okavango River at Rundu recorded 5.30 metres on Wednesday morning, and the water level is higher than to the same period last year.
The flow of the Kunene River at Ruacana has increased to 97.7 cubic metres per second on Thursday.
“However, the river flow remains low during this time of the year, and a hydrological drought is forecasted for the Kunene River system if the rainfall situation does not improve. Contingency planning for a hydrological drought is advised for the Kunene River system.”
Heavy falls were predicted to persist in the Kunene Region over the weekend, while cold arctic air was expected in the south on Sunday and on Monday.
According to the Rainfall Bulletin for February by the Namibia Meteorological Service, the Erongo and southern regions received two to four times the average amount of rainfall for the month, with the exception of the far southwestern areas.
“However, after an exceptional rainfall performance during January, the Zambezi Region received little to no rain during February.”
According to the report, after a consistent below-average rainfall performance with an escalating rainfall deficit, the Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto regions for the first time this rainy season received average rainfall for the month.
On a seasonal scale (1 October 2021 to 28 February 2022), the performance of rainfall from the Tsumkwe area through Gam to Eiseb was mainly below average, which can easily lead to water challenges, the report states.
Crop failure fears
The rainfall received to date did not normalise the situation in Omusati and parts of the Oshana and western Ohangwena regions.
“Hence the risk of crop failure and water availability remains a major concern.”
The Hydrological Service of Namibia further says that the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is rising rapidly due to persistent rains in its catchment area over the past few days and recorded 3.35 metres on Thursday morning.
The Okavango River at Rundu recorded 5.30 metres on Wednesday morning, and the water level is higher than to the same period last year.
The flow of the Kunene River at Ruacana has increased to 97.7 cubic metres per second on Thursday.
“However, the river flow remains low during this time of the year, and a hydrological drought is forecasted for the Kunene River system if the rainfall situation does not improve. Contingency planning for a hydrological drought is advised for the Kunene River system.”
Heavy falls were predicted to persist in the Kunene Region over the weekend, while cold arctic air was expected in the south on Sunday and on Monday.
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