This year’s flooding of the Okavango River and delta could be massive judging from the amount of water that has already been recorded. Heavy and consistent rains in the Angolan eastern highlands – which are continuing - has seen river levels at Rundu, in Namibia, rise to 7.46 metres compared to the 2009 figure of 5.17 metres.
Latest levels show a rise of more than 8cm at Rundu since January 29 and 10cm at Mohembo – where the level that day was 2.53 metres.
The figures for Rundu are 3 metres higher than is normal for a January 29 recording - on Friday it stood at 7.14 m after reaching 7 metres the day before due to heavy rains in the Nkurenkuru area.
This year’s flood, widely expected to come down the Thamalakane River through Maun in about May, could be bigger than the 2009 event, which saw huge amounts of water flooding surrounding farmlands and residential areas.
For the first time in years it also resulted in high inflows into Lake Ngami and the Boteti River.
Meanwhile at Kongola, on the banks of the Kwando River on the northern Botswana-Namibia border, water levels are standing at 3.06 metres, slightly less than last year. The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo was 2.19 metres higher this week and steadily rising - the normal January figure is 1.48 metres.
The normally bone dry Savuti channels are also overflowing, with the marsh channels expected to contain water for at least six months. Water is almost surrounding the Savuti Scout camp.
Quelle: Overland Forum/Ngami Times