Storage dams receive inflow of nearly 50 million cubic meters

Heavy rainfall over the past few days has brought much-needed relief to drought-stricken areas, with storage dams across Namibia recording a combined inflow of 49.6 million cubic meters of water. While this has been a cause for celebration for many, the rains also brought challenges, including severe flash floods that affected residents of Windhoek.



Hardap dam and other inflows

At Mariental, farmers and residents rejoiced as the Hardap Dam’s water level rose from 5.5% to 14.8%, marking an inflow of 27.419 million cubic meters. Similarly, the Von Bach Dam, which supplies water to Windhoek, saw its level rise to 23.5%. According to Namwater’s latest dam bulletin, this significant inflow marks a positive step towards alleviating one of the worst droughts Namibia has faced in recent years.

Devastation in Windhoek

However, the heavy rains brought devastation to parts of Windhoek, particularly in the Havana and Otjomuise settlements. Flash floods on Saturday affected 282 households and 1,189 residents, with eight houses washed away. Streets such as Matshitshi, Mersin, and Ganzi were among the worst hit.

City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya confirmed that blocked storm drains and obstructed water flows, including one caused by old car tires near the Otjomuise police station, exacerbated the flooding. Several vehicles were swept away, and homes in Eneas Peter Nanyemba Street were flooded due to construction-related drainage issues.



Emergency response

Municipal officials, along with members of the Windhoek city police and city council representatives, visited the affected areas on Sunday. Temporary shelters, food parcels, and relocation plans are being implemented to assist those displaced. The municipality is considering sites at Farm 508 and Goreangab for temporary housing.

"The City of Windhoek is taking immediate steps to assist the affected residents and prevent further flooding," Amutenya said. Efforts to clean riverbeds and reduce future flooding risks are also underway. Some affected households have already been relocated to safer areas, although some residents continue to live in flood-prone zones.



Government support

The Office of the Prime Minister expressed support for the municipality’s response and urged citizens to heed early warnings about heavy rains and flooding. Food parcels were distributed on Sunday at Dar Es Salaam Street near Seventh Avenue to provide immediate relief to affected residents.

"The government calls on all citizens to take early warnings about the extent of rain and the threat it poses seriously and to take necessary precautions to prevent loss of life and property," the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

While the rains have significantly improved water availability in Namibia’s storage dams, the challenges faced by affected communities underscore the need for continued vigilance and infrastructure improvements to mitigate the impact of future floods.