Residents living in low-lying areas along the Kunene River are being urged to evacuate immediately as rising water levels threaten severe flooding downstream of Ruacana. …
Staff Reporter The Kunene River’s flow rate has continued to intensify, beginning the week at 785.90 cubic metres per second (m³/s) on Monday, 13 April 2026, and increasing to 1,442.6 m³/s this morning, 16 April 2026. …
… The Hydrological Services revealed that the Kunene River discharge at Ruacana was measured at 323.40 m³/s on Monday morning, up from 309.10 m³/s recorded last Monday. …
… Flood-prone areas in Namibia include the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin, Okavango River and its banks, Zambezi River banks and eastern Zambezi floodplains, Lower Kuiseb Catchment, Hardap–Mariental area, Lower Orange River, and the Kunene River,” the Hydrological Services added. …
… Flood-prone areas in Namibia include the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin, Okavango River and its banks, Zambezi River banks and eastern Zambezi floodplains, Lower Kuiseb Catchment, Hardap–Mariental area, Lower Orange River, and the Kunene River,” the Hydrological Services of Namibia added.
… Flood-prone areas include the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin, the Okavango River and its banks, the Zambezi River banks and eastern Zambezi floodplains, the lower Kuiseb catchment, the Hardap–Mariental area, the lower Orange River, and the Kunene River,” the Hydrological Services added. …
… Flood-prone areas in Namibia include the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin, Okavango River and its banks, Zambezi River banks and eastern Zambezi floodplains, Lower Kuiseb Catchment, Hardap–Mariental area, Lower Orange River, and the Kunene River,” the Hydrological Services of Namibia urged. …
… Flood-prone areas in Namibia include the Cuvelai–Etosha Basin, the Okavango River and its banks, the Zambezi River banks and eastern Zambezi floodplains, the lower Kuiseb catchment, the Hardap–Mariental area, the lower Orange River, and the Kunene River,” the Hydrological Service …
Namibia consumed 440GWh of electricity in February 2026, up 13% from 390GWh a year earlier. Imports supplied 56% of demand, with Ruacana hydroelectric station producing 156GWh domestically, while independent power producers contributed 34GWh.
Why it matters
February electricity consumption surge and heavy import reliance underscore Namibia's ongoing energy security and supply challenges.
Namibia consumed 440GWh of electricity in February 2026, up 13% from 390GWh a year earlier. Imports supplied 56% of demand, with Ruacana hydroelectric station producing 156GWh domestically, while independent power producers contributed 34GWh.
The Benguela Current Convention approved a new strategic action plan at its ministerial conference in Luanda, aimed at strengthening marine protection, combating illegal fishing, and promoting sustainable blue economy across Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Namibia handed the BCC chairpersonship to Angola during the meeting.
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.
Flooding along the Kunene River has destroyed crops in 17 Epupa villages and cut off clean water supply to Otjimuhaka Primary School, which serves about 300 pupils now forced to fetch water from the river. The constituency councillor said assessment is ongoing and a report will be sent to the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Namibia Power Corporation has urged residents in low-lying areas along the Kunene River to evacuate immediately as rising water levels threaten severe flooding downstream of Ruacana. The utility announced it will open a second floodgate at Ruacana Power Station, expected to increase river flow to over 1 800 cubic metres per second, and instructed residents to move livestock and equipment to higher ground and avoid riverbanks.
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.
Officials assessed flood damage in Otjimuhaka village along the Kunene River after residents received early warning and evacuated to higher ground. About 20 households were affected, with crops destroyed, though no lives were lost and the health ministry provided aid including mosquito nets and water purification tablets.
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 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.
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.
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.
Mavinga Lodge & Campsite on the Kunene River will host an Easter Fishing Competition on Saturday, 4 April 2026, offering fishing, camping, and opportunities to experience local Ovahimba culture. According to organiser Joyce Paulus, the event aims to promote tourism in the area while providing a safe and friendly environment for families and anglers to enjoy nature.
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 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.
The Namibia Meteorological Service has warned that severe thunderstorms are expected in central-north, Zambezi, Kavango, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions this week, with a risk of flash flooding, while isolated to scattered thundershowers are anticipated in central and southern regions. The Hydrological Services of Namibia has advised communities in flood-prone areas to exercise caution and activate multi-hazard contingency plans for flood risk mitigation.
According to Namibia's Hydrological Services Flood Bulletin, the country's rivers experienced minimal changes between 27 January and 3 February 2026, with some gaining water levels—including the Zambezi at Katima Mulilo (up 0.18m) and Kunene at Ruacana—while others declined, such as the Kwando and Kavango at Rundu.
Kunene is one of Namibia's fourteen regions, extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Angolan border and home to Himba, Damara, and Nama communities. With a 2023 population of 120,762 and low population density, the region's capital is Opuwo and current governor is Vipuakuje Muharukua.
Namibia Meteorological Services warns of heavy showers and potential flooding in the Kunene and //Kharas regions today, with the Kunene River already running at elevated levels. Residents near waterways are advised to exercise caution, and satellite maps indicate showers in the south may persist into Friday.
Namibia failed to meet the deadline to sign the United Nations High Seas Treaty, which entered force last Saturday, citing the need to align the agreement with national laws and assess implementation capacity. Officials say the country intends to accede to the treaty, which addresses marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and could help conserve Namibia's significant marine areas including the Walvis Ridge.
The Namibian Hydrological Services reports that national dam storage levels remain significantly higher than the same period last year, with total dam content at 80.1% as of 5 January and a storage surplus of 28.7% compared to the previous year. River flow conditions have increased across parts of the country, with the Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo recording notably higher water levels than last year.
The Namibia Meteorological Service forecasts hot to very hot conditions across most of the country, with isolated thundershowers expected over northern, central and eastern interior areas, while the south remains mostly sunny and dry. Coastal areas will experience milder conditions with maximum temperatures of 24–27°C, while interior regions such as Keetmanshoop and Mariental are forecast to reach 36–37°C.