Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) is in the process of rescuing 96 hikers trapped in the Fish River Canyon since Sunday.
The hikers belong to nine different groups and include schoolchildren.
The hikers were stranded after heavy rains filled the Naute Dam beyond capacity, forcing NamWater to open the dam’s sluice gates, which caused dangerous, rapidly rising water levels downstream.
The NWR in a statement on Monday said rainfall experienced in the Hardap and ||Kharas regions over the weekend pushed the Naute Dam’s level to 116.9% of its storage capacity.
Additionally, the nearby Neckartal Dam reached 105.7% of its capacity and began spilling large volumes of water into the canyon.
The company has also announced the temporary closure of the Fish River hiking trail until further notice.
“The public is urged to stay away from the hiking trail until conditions are declared safe,” reads a statement issued by the NWR.
NamWater reported that Naute Dam recorded a level of 116.9% at 06h00 on Sunday, which rose to 117.3% by 08h00. This prompted NamWater to open one sluice gate to 0.9 metres, releasing water at a rate of 102 cubic metres per second. By 13h00 on Sunday, the dam’s level stood at 116.5% of its capacity.
The ||Kharas police regional commander, commissioner Marius Katamila, confirmed that members of the Special Reserve Force and a police helicopter are stationed at the NWR’s Hobas resort to extract the hikers.
“So far we are aware that ten hikers walked out by themselves on Sunday. However, we have received a helicopter to reinforce the rescue efforts,” said Katamila.
