Water availability a major concern
Catchment areas run dry
Besides the sporadic and insufficient rainfall patterns that dominated the season, severe and prolonged dry spells were reported in December, February, March and April.
The overall situation around water supply is a major concern in many areas of the country due to poor rainfall in the past season.According to the report on crop prospects, food security and the drought situation issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, most water catchment areas have dried up as they have not received inflow.
"Since the start of the 2022-23 rainy season, the country has received below normal rainfall, with a significant delay in the start of the season. Most parts of the country only received productive rainfall in January."
The report added that in addition to the sporadic and insufficient rainfall patterns that dominated the season, severe and prolonged dry spells were reported in December, February, March and April.
It added that the water situation in Otjozondjupa is generally fair, with boreholes as the main water source.
However, boreholes are drying up and also need to be rehabilitated in areas such as Otjongombe, Okamboro and Okasuvandjiwo, the report said.
Furthermore, the water in the Ovitoto area contains a high concentration of lime and poses a health risk to livestock and people.
In the Erongo region, the water situation remains critical, especially for the Utuseb, Omatjete, Otjimbingwe, Spitzkoppe and Uis areas.
"In addition, most boreholes are broken, and the water supply is insufficient due to below-average rainfall."
Broken and undrinkable
The report noted that water supply in the Khomas region is satisfactory, with earthen dams being the main water sources.
Meanwhile, the availability of water in the Hardap and ||Kharas region is fair, but areas such as Snyfontein and Warmbad in ||Kharas have salty water that is not suitable for livestock or human consumption.
"As a result, some towns are served with water tankers, but the biggest concerns are that areas such as the Karasburg East constituency could go without water for weeks as there is only one water tanker that has to cater for the entire region."
According to the report, the Omaheke region has a number of broken boreholes, especially in the northern part of the region (Eiseb, Talismanus, Otjinene and Epukiro) due to wear and tear, leaving both people and livestock with a critical water shortage.
The water supply in the north central regions, such as Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto, varies from fair to poor.
"The flood water that was in this area during January has completely dried up."
However, some areas have access to piped water and boreholes as alternative sources.
According to the report, most earthen dams are either completely dry or have minimal water available that will not last until the next rainy season.
"Constituencies like Eengodi in the Oshikoto region are facing a major water shortage due to the low water pressure in the pipeline, and communities can go days and weeks without clean water."
In the Kunene region, no significant water supply interruptions have been reported, apart from isolated cases of broken pumps, while in the Zambezi, and the Kavango regions, water is abundantly available in the rivers, streams, swamps and boreholes inland.