Africa-Press – Namibia. Auleria Wakudumo
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening water security and reduce impacts of recurring floods and droughts through the harvesting and preservation of rain and flood water.
This follows ongoing initiatives by the agriculture ministry in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister to implement sustainable water harvesting solutions across the country.
The ministry’s spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the initiative remains a top priority and forms part of efforts to address climate variability.
“Flood and rainwater harvesting initiatives remain a priority intervention under the ministry’s strategy to enhance climate resilience and improve water security. Namibia has in recent years experienced increasing climate variability as a result of recurring floods and prolonged droughts affecting communities, infrastructure and livelihoods,” Muyunda said. He explained that flood-prone areas often face challenges of stagnant water, which in many cases lead to the relocation of communities and schools.
“The ministry has been implementing sustainable water harvesting solutions aimed at improving water availability while reducing flood risks. Central to this approach is the construction and rehabilitation of earth dams.
“Structures have been designed to capture excess rainwater and floodwater during periods of heavy rainfall while reducing surface runoff and water losses,” he stated. Earth dams play a key role in mitigating flood impacts in vulnerable communities and ensuring water is available for productive use during dry periods. To that effect, Muyunda said progress has been made, as six earth dams have already been completed out of the targeted 17 dams.
These include three in the Kunene region, two in Oshikoto and one in Oshana.
Last year, four more additional earth dams were completed in the Kavango West (two), Kavango East (one) and Oshana (one) regions.
Muyunda said these developments reflect ongoing efforts to expand water harvesting infrastructure in line with national priorities.
“Work is also underway to rehabilitate and expand existing dams, particularly in flood prone regions, where the impact of excess water is most severe. Plans to identify more suitable sites for earth dams development are underway, including the accelerated construction and strengthening of rehabilitation programmes,” Muyunda added.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s office continues to support the initiatives, particularly during drought periods, through coordinated emergency response interventions and resource mobilisation.
Flood and rainwater harvesting remains a key intervention in building climate resilience and improving water availability across Namibia.
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