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Erasmus Shalihaxwe The current rate of rainfall across Namibia will continue at the same pace until March according to a forecast by the Namibia Meteorological Service. Beata Iipinge, a meteorological technician at the service, told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that their weather forecast conducted in late December indicates normal rainfall throughout January, February, and March. “The prediction shows normal rainfall for the entire country throughout those months, but things can still change depending on various factors affecting the weather,” said Iipinge. Namwater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said that the water level in major dams across the country keeps rising. This,…

Stefanus Nashama The Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) has called on the City of Windhoek (CoW) to take immediate action and relocate all residents in high-risk flood zones within the Katutura area. In a letter addressed to CoW's chief executive officer, Moses Matyayi, on Sunday, the committee spokesperson, Shaun Gariseb, urged for urgent consideration of relocating people who reside in flood-prone areas. Gariseb highlighted several areas at risk, including Namibia Primary School in Marula/Rykmansdorp, Soder Water in Shandumbala, the Herero location at the intersection of Mungunda and August Tjaapa streets, and the Eiland location. He stressed that many of the residents…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has reassured the public that the increase in acute respiratory infections caused by the Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) in the northern provinces of the People's Republic of China is not a cause for alarm. This was said by Ben Nangombe, the executive director of the health ministry, in a statement on Wednesday. “The observed increase in cases of respiratory infections in China and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere is an expected phenomenon around this time of the year due to winter weather conditions,” Nangombe explained. Nangombe assured Namibians that the…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has ordered the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Namibian Police (NAMPOL), and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security to pay N$1.3 million in settlements to the family of Joseph Kautjingu Ndondji. This follows a civil claim instituted after Ndondji (34) was shot and killed during a joint operation in Rundu on 3 March 2023. He was thought to be in possession of a pangolin skin. The settlement was finalised on 4 December 2024 and addresses the loss of support and emotional suffering endured by Ndondji’s parents and seven minor children.…

Allexer Namundjembo and Ester Mbathera Some parts of the country received good rains over the past few days, bringing much-needed relief but also posing challenges for communities. Some of the challenges include property damage and the disruption of people’s daily lives. Despite these short-term difficulties, experts and advocates have said this is an opportunity for the people to harness the water from rain for sustainable growth and development. Wayambekange Hamufenhu, a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate, explained the dual impact of the rain. “Water is one of the most precious natural resources, and despite the short-term destruction, it brings life,…