… The Zambezi River level stands at 6.89m at Katima Mulilo. Sankwasa, who went to assess the situation in the region last week, says the region’s food security has been left in a dire state by these disasters. …
Staff Reporter THE Zambezi River’s water level more than doubled during March, rising from 3.36 metres on 1 March 2026 to 6.84 metres on 31 March 2026. …
… According to the Hydrological Services of Namibia, the Zambezi River’s water level decreased slightly between Thursday and Friday, dropping from 6.94 m to 6.84 m. …
… Additionally, the Zambezi River is overflowing into the eastern floodplains, submerging villages, disrupting schools, and forcing residents in areas like Kabbe North and South to use dugout canoes daily. …
… Schools, clinics, and police offices are completely surrounded by water and hundreds of residents in the region have also been displaced.The Zambezi River’s levels rose to 6.89m. …
… This week’s heavy rainfall has already wreaked havoc in some areas, such as contributing to the rise of the Zambezi River, resulting in ongoing flooding in the Zambezi Region. …
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.
Why it matters
Government provides three-month food aid to 2,700 flood-affected households in Zambezi region.
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'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.
Namibia and Zambia are negotiating a joint dredging project for the Zambezi River to deepen waterways and mitigate severe seasonal flooding. Over 1,510 people have been displaced in the Zambezi region, with the government preparing a dredging machine procured in 2015 to begin operations pending agreement renewal with Zambia.
The government has installed floating bridges in Kalimbeza and Masikili in Zambezi region to help flood-affected communities safely access schools and clinics. The Ministry of Works and Transport procured 24,640 double floating cubes at a cost of N$24 million to provide rapid access to areas that become isolated during seasonal flooding, with more installations planned for other affected areas.
The Popular Democratic Movement warns that seasonal floods in the Zambezi region have left affected communities destitute, displacing over 2,074 people and destroying homes, livestock, and crops. The party calls for intensified government relief efforts to provide food, clean water, shelter, and medical supplies, citing risks to food security, waterborne disease outbreaks, and human-wildlife conflict.
Farmers around Lake Liambezi are rushing to harvest maize, sorghum and other crops weeks early as floodwaters advance from Angola through the Zambezi Region. The premature harvesting follows earlier locust damage, and officials warn more severe flooding is expected in coming weeks, with water levels potentially rising above seven metres and affecting multiple constituencies including Kabbe South, Sibbinda and Katima Rural.
Heavy rains across Angola have killed more than 30 people, with the worst damage in the central city of Benguela where 23 died and infrastructure was damaged. President Joao Lourenco described the disaster as a "race against the clock" for rescue and medical response efforts.
Devastating floods and locust outbreaks in Namibia's Zambezi region have destroyed thousands of hectares of crops and displaced over 2,000 people, prompting the government to commit to feeding affected residents until the next harvest season. The regional minister has called on government to provide seeds, fodder for livestock, and continued support as communities struggle with starvation.
Rising water levels in the Zambezi River during March displaced residents, caused loss of income, and isolated communities from schools and healthcare. The flooding has also intensified human-wildlife conflict as animals compete for reduced available land, with elephants damaging crop fields in some areas.
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.
The education ministry announced plans to relocate hundreds of learners affected by severe flooding in Zambezi, with water levels at Katima Mulilo surging past 6.9 metres. Two schools—Muzii Combined and Mpakano Primary—will be relocated to higher ground immediately, though infrastructure challenges including fencing, sanitation, and food supply remain urgent needs.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the Zambezi region to assess flooding caused by heavy rains since January, urging residents to accept 9,097 bags of rice donated by South Korea and to relocate despite local preference for maize meal. The flooding has submerged over 75% of land in Kabbe South and Kabbe North constituencies, displaced hundreds, and closed schools and clinics.
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 Namibia Meteorological Service warns of heavy thunderstorms expected in central and southern regions this weekend, with flash floods possible. This week's rainfall has already displaced residents in the Zambezi Region, damaged water infrastructure in Grootfontein, revived major rivers including the Hoarusib and Kuiseb, and affected multiple areas across the country.
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.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the Zambezi region to assess ongoing flooding that has affected over 75% of the Kabbe South and North constituencies. Three schools have been closed and relocated families have been provided tents and food supplies, though flood-affected communities in Kabbe constituencies are refusing to relocate.
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.
Severe flooding in Namibia's Zambezi region has submerged villages and displaced families to higher ground and schools, with officials reporting shortages of tents and food aid despite assistance from the Prime Minister's office. The floods have also pushed wildlife out of their natural habitat, prompting the Environment and Tourism ministry to map displaced animals to prevent poaching.
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.
The Namibia Meteorological Services predicts moderate to heavy rainfall on Tuesday across Kunene, Erongo, Otjozondjupa, Khomas and central-northern regions, with showers also expected in coastal areas. Several regions have already received significant rainfall in recent days, and the public is advised to remain cautious given the Zambezi River's recent rapid rise and associated flooding.
Unusually early and intense flooding along the Zambezi River, driven by heavy rainfall in upstream Angola and Zambia, is expected to significantly impact communities, livestock, and tourism in north-eastern Namibia in the coming weeks, with authorities potentially needing to relocate vulnerable populations and disruptions to roads and game drives forecast.
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.