Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
… Dumbu (37), a police pilot, evacuated hikers over the course of six hours, after heavy rains forced NamWater to release water from the Naute Dam, flooding the canyon. …
Police pilot hailed as ‘machine’ for saving 68 hikersInformanté
… After the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) opened the sluice gates at the Naute Dam this weekend, the dam’s water capacity dropped from 117.3% at 10:00 on Sunday morning to 109.4% by Monday night. …
Southern rivers and dams highlight impact of recent rainfallThe Namibian
… The hikers were part of Namibia Wildlife Resorts’ annual winter Fish River Canyon hike and became trapped after heavy rains filled the Naute Dam beyond capacity, forcing NamWater to open its sluice gates. …
All 96 Fish River Canyon hikers rescued safe and uninjuredInformanté
… The successful rescue operation brought to an end an emergency response launched after heavy rainfall, the opening of the Naute Dam sluice gates and overflow from the Neckartal Dam caused water levels in the canyon to rise sharply, trapping nine hiking groups inside the canyon. …
All 96 trapped Fish River Canyon hikers rescuedThe Namibian
… Meanwhile, road 28 (the C12) near Naute Dam remains open, although the RA warns that severe washaways and slippery road conditions pose a risk to motorists. …
Heavy rains force road closures in ǁKharasThe Namibian
… The hikers were stranded after heavy rains filled the Naute Dam beyond capacity, forcing NamWater to open the dam’s sluice gates, which caused dangerous, rapidly rising water levels downstream. …
NWR rescuing 96 hikers from Fish River CanyonInformanté
Staff Reporter THE Naute Dam’s water level has decreased since the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) opened the dam’s floodgates on Sunday, falling from 117.3% capacity at 10:00 on Sunday morning to 113.4% at 06:00 on Monday morning. …
Caution advised as Naute and Neckartal dam water releases continue to raise Fish River levelsInformanté
… Katamila said nine hiking groups, comprising a total of 96 people, were affected by the rising water levels caused by recent rainfall, worsened by the opening of the Naute Dam sluice gates and the overflowing of the Neckartal Dam. …
96 hikers trapped in Fish River Canyon as rescue operation underwayInformanté
… Southern dams also recorded notable increases, with the most significant rise observed at Naute Dam, which stood at 108.9% of capacity on Monday, 15 June 2026, and increased to more than 116% over the course of the week. …
South braces for more thunderstorms after rainy weekendInformanté
… NWR explained that the closure is due to heavy rainfall recorded in the Naute Dam catchment area and the opening of the Naute Dam sluice gates, which may pose a risk to the safety of hikers. …
Fish River Canyon hike closed due to heavy rainfall in the Naute Dam catchment areaHelicopter pilot Florentina Dumbu evacuated 68 hikers trapped in a flooded Fish River Canyon in the ||Kharas region on Monday after heavy rains forced NamWater to release water from the Naute Dam. Dumbu completed the evacuations over six hours, with survivors crediting her swift response with averting a potentially catastrophic situation.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Helicopter pilot Florentina Dumbu evacuated 68 hikers trapped in a flooded Fish River Canyon in the ||Kharas region on Monday after heavy rains forced NamWater to release water from the Naute Dam. Dumbu completed the evacuations over six hours, with survivors crediting her swift response with averting a potentially catastrophic situation.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Recent showers combined with water releases from the Naute and Neckartal dams have caused a rapid rise in the Fish River and other southern waterways, with the Naute Dam's water capacity dropping from 117.3% to 109.4% during a two-day release. Further rainfall is forecast for southern Namibia on Wednesday.
23 June 2026 · Informanté →
All 96 hikers stranded in the Fish River Canyon since Sunday have been rescued after overflowing dams caused dangerous water levels downstream. The hikers, part of Namibia Wildlife Resorts' annual winter hike, became trapped after heavy rains filled the Naute Dam beyond capacity, forcing NamWater to open its sluice gates.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Heavy rainfall and dam releases caused water levels in Fish River Canyon to rise sharply, trapping nine hiking groups. The Namibian Police successfully evacuated all 96 hikers, including children, with no injuries reported.
23 June 2026 · Informanté →
Heavy rainfall in the ǁKharas region has forced the temporary closure of road 212 (the C13) between Aussenkehr and Rosh Pinah due to flood-related damage; the Roads Authority is monitoring affected areas and advising motorists to use alternative routes and exercise caution.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Wildlife Resorts is rescuing 96 hikers from nine groups stranded in Fish River Canyon since Sunday after heavy rains caused the Naute Dam to exceed capacity, forcing NamWater to open sluice gates that sent dangerous, rapidly rising water downstream. The Fish River hiking trail has been temporarily closed until conditions are declared safe.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Water Corporation opened the Naute Dam's floodgates on Sunday as water levels exceeded capacity, with releases from both Naute and Neckartal dams flowing into the rapidly-rising Fish River. NamWater has warned residents, tourists, and farmers to stay out of the Fish River and canyon areas due to high water volumes and strong flows.
22 June 2026 · Informanté →
Ninety-six hikers, including school children, are trapped in Fish River Canyon after heavy rainfall and dam releases caused water levels to rise. Police and Namibia Wildlife Resorts have launched a rescue operation involving ground teams and a helicopter.
22 June 2026 · Informanté →
The south experienced sustained heavy rainfall over the weekend, with several areas in Hardap and //Kharas regions receiving significant amounts, including Bethanie which recorded more than 40 mm. Dam levels rose notably, with Naute Dam reaching over 117% capacity, prompting NamWater to open a sluice gate.
22 June 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia Wildlife Resorts has temporarily closed the Fish River Canyon Hike following heavy rainfall in the Naute Dam catchment area and the opening of sluice gates, which pose a safety risk. The Naute Dam reached 117.3% capacity and released water at about 780 m³/s into the Fish River, while the Neckartal Dam also overflowed at 105.7% capacity with a spilling rate of 870 m³/s.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
Heavy rainfall in the Hardap and //Karas regions has caused the Naute Dam to exceed full capacity at 116.9%. NamWater has started controlled water releases to maintain safe operating levels and advised downstream communities to exercise caution.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
About 30 4×4 enthusiasts participated in the annual Outdoor 4×4 Festival hosted by Land Rover Owners Namibia at Canyon Roadhouse near Fish River Canyon over the long weekend, encountering challenging wet and muddy conditions after Naute Dam sluices opened and closed nearby roads.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Wildlife Resorts has postponed all Fish River Canyon hiking activities scheduled to commence on 1 May to the second week of May due to significantly increased water levels and strong river flows caused by recent rainfall. The Naute Dam sluices were opened by NamWater after the dam level exceeded 111% capacity.
2 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Two sluice gates at Naute Dam were opened on 29 April 2026 after the dam reached 92.313 million cubic meters of water, or 110.4% of full capacity. Water is being released at 298 cubic meters per second until the dam drops to 105% capacity, and downstream communities are urged to remain vigilant.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Recent rainfall in catchment areas has boosted southern Namibian dams to a combined 90.8% storage capacity, up from 88.7% the previous week, with Hardap Dam receiving the largest inflow of 13.7 million cubic metres. However, dams supplying Windhoek remain significantly depleted at 58.2% capacity, down sharply from 88.4% a year ago.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
26 February 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia recorded widespread rainfall over recent days, with moderate falls across north-central and north-eastern regions and lighter showers in the south, boosting river flows and maintaining national dam storage at 80.1% as of 5 January. However, authorities note a storage deficit of 28.7% compared to the same period last year, with dam levels ranging from highs of 97.7% at Neckartal Dam to lows below 5% at Bondels and Tjivero Silt dams.
6 January 2026 · Informanté →