Dam levels drop drastically
The total average of Namibia’s dams has dropped to 65.5% compared to last season’s 79.3%.In the central areas of Namibia, the average level of the dams is now a low 35.1%, while last season this level stood at 55.8%.
The Swakoppooort Dam is at 62.8% of its capacity and the Von Bach Dam is at 20.9% full, while the Omatako Dam is empty.
This three-dam system supplies Windhoek with water, and the total average level of these dams stands at 32.2%, compared to last season when they averaged 53.7%.
Meanwhile, the Friedenhau Dam is 66% full and the Goreangab Dam is at 100.3%.
In the south, the average level of the dams stands at 73.4%, compared to last season’s 88%.
Neckartal, Namibia’s largest dam, is at 90.5% of its capacity. Last season, it was 97.7% full.
The level of the Hardap Dam near Mariental has dropped to 33.8%, the Naute Dam is at 59.3% and the Oanob Dam is 56.1% full.
The level of the Dreihuk Dam is at 0.8% and the Bondels Dam is empty.
In the east of the country, the total average of the dam levels is a mere 7.1%, much less than last season’s 21.2%.
The Otjivero Main Dam is 9.5% full, the Tilda Viljoen Dam 31.4% and the Daan Viljoen Dam 21.7%.
In other parts of the country, the Olushandja Dam in the Oshana Region is 33.8% full, compared to last season’s 12.9%.
Both the Omaruru Delta Dam located in the Erongo Region and the Omatjenne Dam in Otjozondjupa Region are empty, the same as last season.
While most parts of Namibia experienced freezing temperatures last weekend, it is set to warm up during the week.
The Meteorological Service of Namibia warned that east wind conditions are expected to persist over the Namib and coastal areas.
After three consecutive La Niñas, the World Meteorological Organisation and the United States and Japanese meteorological groups have already declared that El Niño is in place.
El Niño has historically been associated with record heat temperatures and droughts in summer rainfall regions of southern Africa.