Municipality warns of rising river levels

The City of Windhoek has warned the public that the opening of the Avis Dam sluice gate may lead to rising water levels in nearby rivers.

The sluice gates were opened on Thursday at 10h00, with municipal teams on-site monitoring the water flow to mitigate damage.

Spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said the controlled opening of the sluice gate is necessary to manage water flow and prevent an automatic release, which could result in an uncontrolled surge of water.

“If the dam fills up completely, the water will flow automatically, and that would be a problem because the water would be released at an uncontrollable speed. What we are doing today is a controlled opening to ensure safety.”

The municipality is urging residents, motorists and pedestrians in low-lying areas downstream to exercise caution and take necessary safety precautions.

The municipality advises residents to stay informed, avoid flooded areas and follow official updates for their safety.

“We are actively directing the public away from affected roads. If you check our social media pages, we have listed the specific streets where water will flow, so people can avoid those areas,” Amutenya added.

The affected areas include Avis Road, Andries Street, Helen Street, Never Street, Barilla Street, Bowker Street, Uland Street, Nelson Mandela Avenue, Von Eckenbrecher Street, Schanzenweg Street, Kilimanjaro Street and Eros Weg.