Flooding in southern Namibia over the last few days has caused extensive damage to roads. Authorities have opened the flood gates of the Naute Dam near Keetmanshoop after levels jumped past capacity.
Namibia Roads Authority (RA) reported at least 8 roads were closed in the southern ǁKaras Region, in particular around the regional capital Keetmanshoop, as a result of overflowing rivers including the Stampriet, Fish, Hom and Vaalgras.
RA said it is currently working on repairs and appealed to all road users to “exercise extra caution and be vigilant on their journeys, especially in areas where we have received good rains.”
Meanwhile levels of the Naute Dam have exceeded capacity. The dam is situated on the Naute reservoir and the Löwen River, around 45km south west of Keetmanshoop. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform said on 05 January that the dam was 117.8% full with an inflow of 2,300 cubic metres. All 4 floodgates were opened to their full capacity to protect the integrity of the dam wall.
Local media reported that the Löwen and Guruchab rivers both broke their banks and at places the floodwater flowed as deep as 3 metres.
Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) reported a significant inflow of water in the Neckartal Dam on the Fish River near Berseba, ǁKaras Region.
Social Media
5 January 2021 Update on flooding Southern of Namibia
By 04h00 this morning Naute Dam was at 117.8 % full capacity with an inflow rate of 2300 m3/s. Release rate is currently at 2000 and will be increased to 2270 m^3/s to accommodate the incoming flood.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/RnOA40LJ4m
— MAWLR NAMIBIA (@MAWLR_Nam) January 5, 2021
