WINDHOEK, Dec. 12 — The Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) on Friday released the seasonal outlook for the 2025/2026 rainfall season, forecasting a high probability of normal to above-normal rainfall across the country.
While the outlook promises major gains for the agricultural sector, it also raises a national alert for widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and public health risks, the NMS said in the outlook report.
“It also poses risks such as flooding, waterlogging, increased crop pests, and livestock diseases. Farmers are therefore encouraged to apply risk management and diversification strategies to reduce vulnerability and ensure resilience under all rainfall scenarios,” the NMS said.
The NMS also predicted widespread flooding in low-lying areas, river basins, and urban centers with inadequate drainage.
The most vulnerable regions include the Zambezi, Kavango East, and Kavango West regions due to their proximity to major rivers.
The Office of the Prime Minister, Namibia‘s coordinating institution for disaster risk management, has since issued an urgent directive, urging all government ministries, regional authorities, and local communities to implement advanced preparedness and early action measures, the outlook said.
In response to the heightened public health risks, Namibia‘s Ministry of Health and Social Services has been instructed to intensify public awareness campaigns, promote water treatment and hygiene practices, and distribute mosquito nets in high-risk areas.
The education sector also faces potential disruption, the NMS said, adding that “the forecast above-normal rainfall is likely to cause damage to school infrastructure, disruption of learning activities, and make schools inaccessible to learners.”
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, along with all related stakeholders, has been advised to prepare for these potential effects. The NMS forecast mostly wet conditions from January to March 2026. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
