Capital dam level static

THE good rains of recent days in Windhoek have not resulted in a significant inflow into the dam that provides water to most of central Namibia, including the capital.

The Von Bach dam stands at an unimpressive 23,8 per cent full. Last year, at about this time, the dam was 36,8 per cent full.But the Goreangab dam (outside Windhoek) is showing good readings.The dam, on the outskirts of Katutura, is over half full (55,8 per cent of capacity), compared to 38,9 per cent a year ago.Hardap Dam, outside Mariental, by contrast, is emptier: now it is 36 per cent full; a year ago it was 62,8 per cent full.The Otjivero Silt Dam, Dreihuk Dam, Omaruru Delta dam and Omatjenne dams are in a similar plight as Daan Viljoen, in the East: all are empty.Yesterday, the Windhoek Weather Bureau said scattered thundershowers are still expected over the south-east, the central high ground and in the North today.By tomorrow rainfall is expected to reduce in the South, says weather forecaster Simon Dirkse.But after the weekend a new system is expected to arrive, improving rainfall prospects countrywide.In the 24 hours to 08h00 yesterday, Dobra (about 20 km north of Windhoek), received 65 millimetres, while Neudamm (an agricultural college, on the way to the Hosea Kutako International Airport) got 58 mm.Central Windhoek received 30,5 mm, Suiderhof 5 mm, Grootfontein 27,8 mm, Rundu 26 mm, Omaruru 12 mm, Ondangwa 1 mm and Okaukuejo 6,7 mm.Last year, at about this time, the dam was 36,8 per cent full. But the Goreangab dam (outside Windhoek) is showing good readings. The dam, on the outskirts of Katutura, is over half full (55,8 per cent of capacity), compared to 38,9 per cent a year ago. Hardap Dam, outside Mariental, by contrast, is emptier: now it is 36 per cent full; a year ago it was 62,8 per cent full. The Otjivero Silt Dam, Dreihuk Dam, Omaruru Delta dam and Omatjenne dams are in a similar plight as Daan Viljoen, in the East: all are empty. Yesterday, the Windhoek Weather Bureau said scattered thundershowers are still expected over the south-east, the central high ground and in the North today. By tomorrow rainfall is expected to reduce in the South, says weather forecaster Simon Dirkse. But after the weekend a new system is expected to arrive, improving rainfall prospects countrywide. In the 24 hours to 08h00 yesterday, Dobra (about 20 km north of Windhoek), received 65 millimetres, while Neudamm (an agricultural college, on the way to the Hosea Kutako International Airport) got 58 mm. Central Windhoek received 30,5 mm, Suiderhof 5 mm, Grootfontein 27,8 mm, Rundu 26 mm, Omaruru 12 mm, Ondangwa 1 mm and Okaukuejo 6,7 mm.