Heavy rainfall expected over northern regions

Namibia Meteorological Service chief forecaster Odillo Kgobetsi says Namibia should expect heavy rainstorms to reoccur over the central-north and north-west regions over the next two days.

Kgobetsi told The Namibian yesterday rainfall is expected in the Kunene and Erongo regions, as well as towards the Ohangwena region.

“Heavy rains were recorded in the Kunene and Erongo region, with Omaruru recording 96 millimetres,” said Kgobetsi.
He added that some flash floods have been recorded in places.

“Other areas that received good rains are Otavi, Grootfontein, Tsumeb and Otjiwarongo, extending over to [the] Omaheke region,” Kgobetsi said.

He said clouds are expected to build in the next three days over the entire northern part of the country, although there will be no rainfall, except for the Zambezi region.

“There will also be rain showers expected in the eastern sides of the country, especially in the Omaheke region,” he said.

HEAT CONDITIONS

Kgobetsi added heat conditions are expected to build over the southern parts of the country, with temperatures in the range of 36 to 39 degrees Celsius for the next five days.

Temperatures are expected to drop slightly on Sunday to lower than 30 degrees Celsius.

“Over the northern parts, some areas are expecting high temperatures of about 35 degrees Celsius but temperatures to lower then 30 degrees Celsius could be expected. Towards the west, hot conditions must be expected with cloud cover, with rain over the Namib desert.”

At the coast, rain is expected over the northern and central coast where temperatures will be relatively warm to hot in the range of 26 to 29 degrees Celsius, he said.

Senior hydrologist in the agriculture ministry Leonard Hango said it is a trend that there are dry spells experienced in the Cuvelai Basin in January, which has already been demonstrated by the recent rainfall patterns.

Hango said despite that, good rainfall events happen in February and there is currently good rainfall being experienced.

“We are hoping that the pattern of rain throughout February remains the same so that we have enough water for animals and crops for a good harvest. There has been good rainfall received in the western parts of the Omusati region, while other parts of the northern regions remain dry,” Hango said.

Despite dry spells experienced in some parts of the north, recent rainfall patterns have revived hope.

“We hope the trend remains the same to ensure that our farmers have enough produce and animals have enough water,” he said.
FLOOD

Hango said flooding only takes place when there is plenty of rainfall locally or from outside the country in Angola.

He said significant rainfall has been received in the Cunene province in Angola.

“Such events of rainfall result in bringing water to our catchment areas. The Kunene River water level is rising at 97%, which is a good sign, especially for the north-central regions who depend on water from the Calueque Dam.”

He said currently there are no signs of floods, despite some areas in the Omusati region being inundated.