Erasmus Shalihaxwe
While much of Namibia is celebrating the recent good rains, the southern regions remain dry, with minimal downpours recorded in key areas.
In Mariental, local authority council member Billy Mensah said the town received only 50 to 60 millimetres of rain last Thursday afternoon.
He expressed concern over the Hardap Dam’s water level, which has dropped to a record low of 5.5 percent.
“I was born and bred here in Mariental, and have never seen water in this dam come to that level. I am now in my 50s, so you can imagine how long that is. We are really praying and hoping that we also get good rain in our southern region like everywhere else in the country,” said Mensah.
The lack of rainfall over the past three years has severely impacted the region, forcing farmers to halt production and lay off workers.
According to Mensah around 200 farm workers were let go when farmers stopped operations in early October 2024.
In the Karas region, Swapo regional information and mobilization officer Irene Laberloth noted that Keetmanshoop received light rainfall on Friday night, but it was insufficient to alleviate the ongoing water challenges.
“We wish to get more because this area has been dry for too long. There was also a time when we had a water crisis here. Even though it’s under control for now, we don’t know how long it will last,” expressed Laberloth.
Last week, Meanwhile, NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata shared more optimistic news regarding the overall water situation in Namibia.
He noted that recent rainfall has led to positive inflows in major dams, including the Von Bach and Friedenau Dams.
“This positive development brings much-needed optimism as the rainy season progresses, contributing to improved water security for the country. NamWater remains hopeful that continued rainfall will further boost dam levels, ensuring water availability for households, agriculture, and industries.
He added that NamWater will continue to monitor dam levels closely and keep the public informed through regular updates.
“While the recent rainfall provides relief, NamWater encourages all Namibians to maintain water conservation practices to ensure sustainable use of this precious resource,” he pleaded.
