The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has warned of possible flooding and high volumes of water along the Orange River after heavy rainfall was received in South Africa and Lesotho.

The ministry on Tuesday issued a public notice calling on irrigation farmers, mine operators, road users and community members at Noordoewer and Aussenkehr near the Orange River to be on alert for possible flooding.

“Major catchment areas and artificial dams of Bloemhof, Gariep and Vanderkloof in South Africa are full to capacity and were already opened two weeks ago to release large quantities of water back into the river,” said the notice.

The ministry further noted that the Orange River continues to swell at a rapid speed, increasing from the two metre level observed on 19 November 2022 to 6.26 metres on Tuesday.

All residents in the lower areas of the Orange River were advised to take the necessary precautions and the ministry said it will continue to monitor the situation and update the public as needed.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency