KATIMA MULILO – The Zambezi River continues to rise significantly following heavy rainfall over the past few days. 

As of Monday morning, data from the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) showed that the water level of the river stood at 1.67 metres, a substantial increase compared to the 0.82 metres recorded on the same date last month. 

On 6 January, NamWater waterworks assistant Nalisa Mapenzi reported that the river had dropped to its lowest level in five years, measuring just 0.30 metres. 

This drastic decline had severe infrastructural impacts. 

In 2024, on the same date, the water levels stood at 0.90 metres. 

During a normal peak season, the Zambezi River typically rises above five metres, a level Mapenzi described as crucial for the efficient operation of NamWater’s pump stations. 

The last time the river exceeded this threshold was in 2021, when by 3 March, it had reached 6.29 metres, causing flash floods and overflowing riverbanks. 

“I just hope it continues to rain so that we see a rise in the water levels of the Zambezi River from the Namibian side. Water infrastructure is an essential framework that ensures and enables the continuous flow of clean potable water to our homes, businesses and industries,” Mapenzi said. 

-Nampa