Hydrological Services of Namibiareported in its bulletinZambezi River at Katima Mulilo water level increased by 0.18m
Source
“According to the bulletin, the water level of the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo increased by 0.18m, rising from 1.40m on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, to 1.58m on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.”
Hydrological Services of Namibiarevealed in its Flood BulletinZambezi and Kavango Rivers experienced increased water levels between 15-22 January 2026
Source
“This was highlighted in the Hydrological Services of Namibia's Flood Bulletin, which revealed that both the Zambezi and Kavango Rivers experienced an increase in water levels between last week Thursday, 15 January 2026, and this week Thursday, 22 January 2026.”
Hydrological Services of Namibiaproduceda Flood Bulletin highlighting dam capacity level changes
Source
“This was highlighted in the Hydrological Services of Namibia's Flood Bulletin, which shows a stark difference between dam capacity levels recorded last year and those recorded this year.”
Hydrological Services of Namibiarecordedextremely low eastern dam water levels in January 2025
Source
“According to Hydrological Services, the Otjivero Main, Otjivero Silt, Tilda Viljoen and Daan Viljoen dams recorded extremely low levels of 1.5%, 2.5%, 1.3% and 11.9% respectively on 13 January 2025.”
Hydrological Services of Namibiarevealed in Flood ReportOrange River at Blouputs recorded 1.92 m on 9 January 2026
Source
“This was highlighted in the Hydrological Services of Namibia's Flood Report, which indicates that the Orange River at Blouputs recorded a water level of 1.92 m on Friday, 9 January 2026, higher than the 0.61 m recorded on 9 January 2025 and 1.27 m recorded on 9 January 2024.”
Hydrological Services of NamibiareportedOkavango River at Rundu stood at 4.88 m on 9 January 2026
Source
“According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, the Okavango River at Rundu stood at 4.88 m on 9 January 2026 – down from 5.72 m in 2025 and 4.93 m in 2024.”
Hydrological Services of Namibiareportedno showers were observed over the interior of the country in the past 24 hours
Source
“Meanwhile, the Hydrological Services of Namibia reported that satellite imagery from the past 24 hours indicates that no showers were observed over the interior of the country.”
The Oranjemund Town Council has prohibited access to the Orange River and nearby flooded areas due to rising water levels and strong currents. The council cited hazardous conditions including unstable ground and debris, and advised residents and visitors to avoid the river, river mouth, and beach to prevent drowning incidents.
Why it matters
Oranjemund restricts Orange River access due to rising waters and hazardous conditions, affecting local residents and illustrating climate-related public safety risks.
The Oranjemund Town Council has prohibited access to the Orange River and nearby flooded areas due to rising water levels and strong currents. The council cited hazardous conditions including unstable ground and debris, and advised residents and visitors to avoid the river, river mouth, and beach to prevent drowning incidents.
The Office of the Prime Minister will provide food and relief supplies for the next three months to 2,700 flood-affected households in Zambezi region, where annual and flash floods have displaced residents and destroyed crops. About 20 relocation camps have been established across the region's affected constituencies.
The Kunene River's discharge rose by more than 300 cubic metres per second over the past week to 894.10 m³/s, and the Kavango and Orange rivers also recorded rising water levels, according to the Hydrological Services of Namibia. In contrast, the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo declined over the same period.
The Kunene River at Ruacana recorded a flow rate of 1,017.3 cubic metres per second on 29 April 2026, significantly higher than the 384.40 m³/s measured on the same date last year. The river's flow has eased slightly in recent days, decreasing from 1,089.50 m³/s on 28 April and from 1,351.40 m³/s recorded a week earlier.
The Kunene River's flow rate at Ruacana declined from 1,540.50 m³/s on Saturday to 1,125.50 m³/s by Monday, though still higher than the 708.10 m³/s recorded on the same date last year. The Zambezi River and other waterways have also experienced declining flows, but water levels remain significantly higher than those of last year.
The Kunene River's flow rate rose from 1,543.9 m³/s on Thursday to 1,545.9 m³/s on Friday, according to Namibia's Hydrological Services, which advised communities downstream of Ruacana to remain on high alert as localised flooding remains a likely risk. The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo has declined but remains significantly higher than last year's corresponding level, prompting a flood alert for the eastern Zambezi floodplains.
The Kunene River's flow rate at Ruacana increased from 1,351.4 m³/s on Wednesday to 1,543.9 m³/s on Thursday, with the Hydrological Services warning communities of sustained upstream inflows and elevated levels. The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo also rose slightly, prompting flood alerts for the eastern Zambezi floodplains.
The Kunene River recorded a flow rate of 1,197.80 cubic metres per second on Tuesday morning, an increase from 1,058.80 m³/s a week earlier, though down from Monday's 1,386.10 m³/s. The Kavango and Zambezi rivers have seen slight declines, and the Hydrological Services of Namibia has issued a flood alert for the eastern Zambezi floodplains, urging communities to remain vigilant and activate flood preparedness measures.
The Kunene River at Ruacana recorded 1,386.10 m³/s on Monday, 20 April, declining slightly from 1,561.20 m³/s on Sunday but remaining significantly higher than the previous week. Heavy rainfall in southern Angola has prompted NamPower to open floodgates, and communities downstream are warned to remain vigilant for potential localised flooding.
The Kunene River's flow rate jumped from 785.90 cubic metres per second on 13 April to 1,442.6 m³/s on 16 April, according to Namibia's Hydrological Services. Communities downstream of Ruacana are advised to avoid flooded areas and remain on high alert for potential localised flooding.
Substantial rainfall in southern Angola and the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin has caused water to flow through eastern iishana in Ohangwena Region, with the stream expected to affect northern constituencies in the Oshana Region. The Hydrological Services of Namibia has advised communities to remain on high alert and activate flood preparedness measures, with increased flood risk also flagged for the Kunene, central, and south-eastern regions.
The Ministry of Education has committed to providing tents, boats, temporary learning spaces, and other supplies to schools in the Zambezi Region affected by flooding. Following the Minister's visit to two schools impacted by the floods, the ministry is also considering temporarily relocating teachers and learners to higher ground to enable recovery of lost teaching and learning time.
Minister of Education Sanet Steenkamp visited the Zambezi Region to assess flooding impacts on schools, where several institutions including Muzii Combined School have been temporarily closed. The Ministry is coordinating with the Prime Minister's office to provide temporary shelter, nutrition, and bedding for affected learners as water levels continue to rise across the region.
The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo reached 6.93 meters on 25 March 2026, significantly higher than levels recorded on the same date in previous years, with water overflowing into eastern floodplains. Namibia's Hydrological Services has issued a flood alert and advised communities in the eastern Zambezi floodplains to activate flood preparedness measures.
The Namibia Meteorological Services predicts heavy thunderstorms over the interior on Friday with potential for flash floods, following significant rainfall across the country this week including 70mm near Outjo. Authorities recommend activating flood contingency plans in identified flood-prone areas including the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin, Okavango, Zambezi, and other vulnerable regions.
Around 75% of land in Kabbe North and 65% in Kabbe South constituencies is submerged as the Zambezi River approaches 7 metres, isolating schools, clinics, and police stations. Relocation efforts are underway but face challenges including resident reluctance and shortages of tents, blankets, food, and fuel.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is heading to Katima Mulilo to assess devastating floods in the Zambezi Region, where the Zambezi River is approaching the 7-metre mark, displacing communities and forcing school closures. The Hydrological Services of Namibia reports the river has reached 6.89 metres—2.55 m higher than last year—and warns communities to remain on high alert.
Heavy rainfall hit multiple regions including Windhoek, the north, and north-east, causing localised flooding in the capital and rapid river rises in the Zambezi and Kavango regions. Authorities recommend activating flood contingency plans in vulnerable areas across the country.
The Zambezi River has overflowed into eastern floodplains, submerging villages in Kabbe South and Kabbe North, while the Kavango and Chobe rivers also record high water levels. Communities along all three rivers have been advised to remain on alert and activate flood preparedness measures.
Water levels in Namibia's north-eastern rivers—including the Zambezi, Chobe, and Kavango—continued to rise this week, with the Zambezi at Katima Mulilo reaching 6.84 metres and the Kavango at Rundu surpassing 7 metres. The Hydrological Services of Namibia has warned the public to remain vigilant in flood-prone areas and recommended activation of flood risk mitigation and preparedness measures, particularly near the Zambezi River, where the river has overflowed its banks and floodwaters are spreading into the eastern Zambezi floodplains.
The Namibia Meteorological Services expects rain on Thursday to affect Omaheke, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution during heavy rainfall, avoid crossing flooded rivers, and activate flood preparedness measures, particularly in the Zambezi Region where the river is already overflowing.
Namibia's Hydrological Services warns that the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is rising toward the 7-metre mark and nearly double last year's level, with water overflowing into eastern floodplains. Communities in flood-prone areas across Namibia are urged to activate flood preparedness measures as thundershowers are expected to continue river rises.
Severe floods in Namibia's Zambezi region have made schools, clinics, and villages inaccessible except by boat, with the Zambezi River water level at 6.75m compared to 2.17m last year. Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi says officials plan to relocate affected communities and schools to higher ground while the Office of the Prime Minister has delivered tents, food, and water tanks to support displaced residents.
The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo reached 6.75 metres on 12 March 2026, significantly higher than the same date in previous years, with water overflowing banks into eastern floodplains. Namibia's Hydrological Services urged communities to remain on high alert and activate flood preparedness measures across multiple flood-prone regions.
The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo has risen to 6.76 metres, significantly higher than recent years and well above last week's 3.99m reading. The Hydrological Services of Namibia has issued a flood alert for the eastern Zambezi floodplains and recommended that communities nationwide activate flood preparedness measures, as several other rivers including the Kavango and Orange are also elevated.
The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo rose 3.05 metres in a week to reach 6.68m by Monday, March 9, 2026, significantly higher than the 2.06m recorded on the same date last year. The Hydrological Services of Namibia has warned surrounding communities to be cautious as the river overflows its banks into the eastern Zambezi floodplains.
The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is overflowing with water levels near 5 metres, a significant rise from levels recorded in February. The Hydrological Services of Namibia has called for intensified flood preparedness efforts in flood-prone areas including the Zambezi, Kavango, Kunene, and Orange River regions.
Namibia's key dams have surged dramatically over the past year, with the Tilda Viljoen Dam rising from empty to over 50% capacity and other major dams more than doubling their storage levels, according to the Hydrological Services of Namibia.
Recent showers have revived southern Namibian rivers including the Orange River and Löwen River, with water levels forecast to rise further in coming days. The Hydrological Services warns communities along the Lower Orange River to remain cautious and take flood prevention measures, while some southern dams have also recorded slight increases in capacity.
Namibia Meteorological Services predicts thunderstorms across northern, central and southern regions this weekend, with widespread rainfall expected Saturday and risk of flooding, particularly in areas near rivers where water levels have risen steadily. Communities are advised to exercise caution.