Heavens open over Windhoek

HEAVY rainfall in the capital and in some parts of the country from Sunday afternoon until yesterday morning raised hopes that more might be on the way.

Several rivers in Windhoek are currently flowing and dark clouds still covered the city last night. Good soaking showers were also reported in the North.According to data for the 24 hours to 08h00 yesterday morning, 51 millimetres of rain were recorded at a farm on the road to Hosea Kutako International Airport.Weather forecaster Simon Dirkse told The Namibian yesterday that Eros Park in Windhoek registered 48,5 millimetres while 48 millimetres fell in Katutura.Pionierspark recorded 45 mm and Suiderhof 41.Summer Down, a farm in the Okahandja district, received 25 mm, Klein Windhoek 38 and the Windhoek Weather Bureau itself received a fall of 43 mm.At the international airport itself, 36,8 mm fell, and falls elsewhere totalled 26 mm at Outjo, 22 mm at Omaruru and 12,5 at Grootfontein.Grunau in the South recorded 40 mm, Gochas 24,5 mm and Usakos, in the west, received 10 mm.Dirkse said more rain was expected today in the south-east and centre of the country.The rain is expected to clear tomorrow and Thursday.TV weather presenter Agatha Moeti said Windhoek’s rainfall was not abnormally heavy.She said that 83,2 millimetres fell at the Weather Bureau gauge on February 19 2002, with 48 mm – less than the latest amount – falling in a single day three weeks later.Moeti said dry soil conditions were responsible for the absence of any flood reports following the latest falls.But more rain in coming days could change that situation.Useful showers are also reported from Omusati and Oshikoto regions, although no figures exist for either.Oshikoto regional Governor Vilho Kamanya told The Namibian yesterday that much of his region has received good rainfall and encouraged all Oshikoto residents to start cultivating crops.”We also call on village headmen to help us in making sure that everyone gets into the field,” said Kamanya.In the Omusati Region, areas such as Okeeke, Olupaka, Ogongo and Oshikuku also received good falls, according to the Chief Executive Officer for Omusati Region, Amutenya Protasius Andowa.He said many people in the region were now busy ploughing their mahangu fields.But those who cannot afford private tractors were struggling.”They have to borrow money from neighbours or to look for donkey ploughs”.Government has abolished the subsidised tractor scheme.Good soaking showers were also reported in the North. According to data for the 24 hours to 08h00 yesterday morning, 51 millimetres of rain were recorded at a farm on the road to Hosea Kutako International Airport. Weather forecaster Simon Dirkse told The Namibian yesterday that Eros Park in Windhoek registered 48,5 millimetres while 48 millimetres fell in Katutura. Pionierspark recorded 45 mm and Suiderhof 41. Summer Down, a farm in the Okahandja district, received 25 mm, Klein Windhoek 38 and the Windhoek Weather Bureau itself received a fall of 43 mm. At the international airport itself, 36,8 mm fell, and falls elsewhere totalled 26 mm at Outjo, 22 mm at Omaruru and 12,5 at Grootfontein. Grunau in the South recorded 40 mm, Gochas 24,5 mm and Usakos, in the west, received 10 mm. Dirkse said more rain was expected today in the south-east and centre of the country. The rain is expected to clear tomorrow and Thursday. TV weather presenter Agatha Moeti said Windhoek’s rainfall was not abnormally heavy. She said that 83,2 millimetres fell at the Weather Bureau gauge on February 19 2002, with 48 mm – less than the latest amount – falling in a single day three weeks later. Moeti said dry soil conditions were responsible for the absence of any flood reports following the latest falls. But more rain in coming days could change that situation. Useful showers are also reported from Omusati and Oshikoto regions, although no figures exist for either. Oshikoto regional Governor Vilho Kamanya told The Namibian yesterday that much of his region has received good rainfall and encouraged all Oshikoto residents to start cultivating crops. “We also call on village headmen to help us in making sure that everyone gets into the field,” said Kamanya. In the Omusati Region, areas such as Okeeke, Olupaka, Ogongo and Oshikuku also received good falls, according to the Chief Executive Officer for Omusati Region, Amutenya Protasius Andowa. He said many people in the region were now busy ploughing their mahangu fields. But those who cannot afford private tractors were struggling. “They have to borrow money from neighbours or to look for donkey ploughs”. Government has abolished the subsidised tractor scheme.