Flowing river leaves Walvis Bay reeling

A STRONGLY flowing Kuiseb River on Friday knocked out the water pumps that supply water to Walvis Bay, leaving the harbour town grappling with a crisis.

Seven of Walvis Bays eight reservoirs are empty, while the sole remaining dam is only 10 per cent full. Water is pumped to the reservoirs from boreholes in the Kuiseb riverbed.On Friday night, the river knocked down 40 power pylons near Rooibank, disrupting the electricity supply to pump stations that feed the reservoirs.The river flowed to about 30 kilometres outside Walvis Bay.A further setback occurred when NamWater and municipal officials, who were sent out to assess the damage, were involved in a car accident and two people died.According to the Walvis Bay Municipality’s acting CEO, André Brummer, the municipality has been forced to restrict the water supply to consumers since Sunday.NamWater’s Corporate Communications Manager, John Shigwedha, says technicians are working on repairing the damaged power line.However, their task is being hampered by the wet, muddy conditions which make it impossible for vehicles to reach the site.It is not known how long it will take to restore the water supply to Walvis Bay.The municipality indicated late yesterday that they hoped the water situation would be stabilised “within the next few days”.Even after the damaged infrastructure has been repaired, it will take some time for the water pressure to return to normal, said Brummer.According to Rudolph Dausab of the Topnaar Foundation, the river reached the Topnaar settlements some 30 kilometres from Walvis Bay at the weekend.He said the Kuiseb didn’t come down as forcefully as it did in 2000 and the water level is currently very low.Shigwedha said yesterday that the Von Bach Dam is now 94 per cent full and the sluice gates are expected to be opened sometime this week to prevent flooding.Water is pumped to the reservoirs from boreholes in the Kuiseb riverbed.On Friday night, the river knocked down 40 power pylons near Rooibank, disrupting the electricity supply to pump stations that feed the reservoirs.The river flowed to about 30 kilometres outside Walvis Bay.A further setback occurred when NamWater and municipal officials, who were sent out to assess the damage, were involved in a car accident and two people died.According to the Walvis Bay Municipality’s acting CEO, André Brummer, the municipality has been forced to restrict the water supply to consumers since Sunday.NamWater’s Corporate Communications Manager, John Shigwedha, says technicians are working on repairing the damaged power line.However, their task is being hampered by the wet, muddy conditions which make it impossible for vehicles to reach the site. It is not known how long it will take to restore the water supply to Walvis Bay.The municipality indicated late yesterday that they hoped the water situation would be stabilised “within the next few days”.Even after the damaged infrastructure has been repaired, it will take some time for the water pressure to return to normal, said Brummer.According to Rudolph Dausab of the Topnaar Foundation, the river reached the Topnaar settlements some 30 kilometres from Walvis Bay at the weekend.He said the Kuiseb didn’t come down as forcefully as it did in 2000 and the water level is currently very low.Shigwedha said yesterday that the Von Bach Dam is now 94 per cent full and the sluice gates are expected to be opened sometime this week to prevent flooding.