Severe floods hit Namibia after 3 months’ worth of rain in just 24 hours

Unusually heavy rainfall hit Namibia’s capital Windhoek on December 14, 2022, damaging buildings, including a police station, and sweeping away vehicles.

Large parts of Wernhil Park Shopping Centre were underwater, with customers reporting that when they returned to their cars, they found them submerged.¹

Damage to roofs resulting in water leaks has also been reported, while fast-flowing rivers have caused havoc in the suburbs and informal areas of the city.

According to data provided by WMO, Windhoek recorded 95 mm (3.7 inches) of rain on December 14, which is more than 3 months of its average December rainfall (30 mm / 1.1 inches).²

Severe weather has also affected areas of the Ohangwena Region in the north of the country on December 14 when 5 people died in a burning house in Oneifiyo village, Epembe Constituency after it was struck by lightning.

References:

¹ Heavy rain in the city – Namibian – December 15, 2022

² Namibia – Floods in Windhoek After 3 Months’ Worth of Rain in 24 Hours – FloodList – December 15, 2022

Featured image credit: Sheriff Marshall of The Namibian Marshall Rangers CC (Emergency Action Response Unit)