It’s official. Namibia hit by drought

Despite the high hopes of rain for the first 10 days in February disappointment was the only thing that filled the skies of Namibia.

Dry soil at Sossusvlei.

The Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) confirmed this week that “the period 1 to 10 February 2013 was much drier than is normally the case” in the majority of areas in Namibia.

On this basis, the NMS concluded that “at this stage of the rainy season … meteorological drought conditions” prevail. 

For many the news that “for Windhoek and most other areas in the central and southern half of the country, this season’s cumulative rainfall as at 10th of February is the lowest since 1996” potentially spells disaster. 

Pockets of moderate daily falls were largely confined only to the north-eastern parts of the country where Katima Mulilo accumulated 47.1 mm in 8 rainy days during the first 10 days of February. Rundu accumulated 24.6 mm in the 4 rainy days during the same period. 

The NMS said however that these rainfalls are about 18 per cent and 59 per cent below normal levels for this period in these areas. 

The outlok for the period 15 to 21 February does not look better. 

Better rainfall years turned Namibia green.

Light to moderate showers and thunderstorms in the northern half of the country are expected. Fewer and lighter showers in the central and southern parts iwth very low likelihood of rain in the extreme south of Namibia. 

Country wide it is expected that there will be a general reduction in rainfall activity towards the end of February.