WINDHOEK – Hopes for more penetrating rains like the downpours experienced since last weekend were dashed as the latest seven-day forecast of the Namibia Meteorological Services (NMS) predicts only light showers for the north-eastern parts of the country.
The NMS also predicts overcast conditions for the central parts and blazing hot weather for the south. While most parts of the Zambezi Region will enjoy overcast conditions and the likelihood of thunderstorms and rain, the skies over the central areas will be mostly sunny as from today (Thursday) while the inhabitants of the south will be subjected to temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius in Keetmanshoop by the end of the week.
At the same time, Namwater’s weekly bulletin on the latest stand of dam levels reports that no significant inflows have been reported to any of the major dams in the country.
It was reported that various rivers started flowing after last week’s rains in the greater parts of the country. By last Sunday, the Omaruru River was in flood after more than 40 mm was recorded at Omarururu and ther surrounding areas. The river is the most important source of water and strict water restrictions were on the cards before the good rains came.
It was also reported that rivers south of Rehoboth and Mariental came down after rains in the respective catchment areas were recorded. This applied to small rivers in the Sukses area. Most areas in the north-east can still expect some rain and overcast conditions today and tomorrow, but as of Friday towns like Rundu and Ondangwa will experience overcast weather with little rain.
The extreme north-eastern parts of the Zambezi Region are the only ones that can expect more rain as of Saturday. Ondangwa and Windhoek will experience sunny skies for the rest of the week with overcast conditions as of Friday. Keetmanshoop, and the rest of the south is in for a sizzling hot period weatherwise. Mimimum temperatures for the greater south will be about 15 degrees Celsius, but the maximum temperatures will shoot up to 38 degrees Celsius in Keetmanshoop this coming Sunday. The thousands of holiday-makers visiting the coastal areas can expect very pleasant weather with minimum temperatures of 13 and maximum temperatures of 23 in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund and along the northern coast. Selected rainfall figures up to yesterday are: Katima Mulilo (13.8 mm), Mpacha (21.4 mm), Okongo (41.2 mm), Hosea Kutako International Airport (21.8 mm) and Aroab (41.1 mm). Oshikango received more than 20 mm, while Tusmeb measured 26.8 mm by Tuesday. In Windhoek 19.2 mm was measured up to Monday, while Rehoboth received 16 mm and Mariental 9.2 mm. Earlier this year, the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF), forecast normal to above normal rainfall for Namibia in the rainy season that started in November and stretches up to the end of March 2014. Namibia is still in the grip of the most debilitating drought in 30 years, and fears have been expressed by dry-land crop producers that they might plant up to 50 percent less than in the previous cropping season.
By Deon Schlechter