Zambezi hits seasonal high

THE depth of the Zambezi River passed the two-metre level yesterday, and is 11 centimetres higher than at the same time last year.

The river topped exactly two metres on Sunday and stood at 2,11 metres yesterday before rain started to fall again. Readings provided by the Water Extension Office at Katima Mulilo indicate that the river has being rising steadily since Saturday at rates higher than at the same time last year.Last year river levels of that depth caused flooding in the eastern part of the region by late April.At present fields in the Kabbe Constituency are waterlogged but the waters pose no danger to human lives yet.In the Kavango Region, where residents also have to deal with unusual volumes of water for this time of year, the Okavango River has not shown any significant changes in the past week.Yesterday, the river as measured at Rundu, was 7,7 metres deep – two metres deeper than at the same time last year.Since Friday, when the river measured 7,85 m, NamWater officials have measured minimal decreases.It is anticipated that the river will rise again should more rains fall in the region and in the river catchment area on the Angolan highlands.Readings provided by the Water Extension Office at Katima Mulilo indicate that the river has being rising steadily since Saturday at rates higher than at the same time last year. Last year river levels of that depth caused flooding in the eastern part of the region by late April. At present fields in the Kabbe Constituency are waterlogged but the waters pose no danger to human lives yet. In the Kavango Region, where residents also have to deal with unusual volumes of water for this time of year, the Okavango River has not shown any significant changes in the past week. Yesterday, the river as measured at Rundu, was 7,7 metres deep – two metres deeper than at the same time last year. Since Friday, when the river measured 7,85 m, NamWater officials have measured minimal decreases. It is anticipated that the river will rise again should more rains fall in the region and in the river catchment area on the Angolan highlands.