Will Generous Rains Break the Drought Narrative?

For decades, Namibia’s arid lands have been painted with the relentless brushstrokes of drought, a narrative as familiar as the desert itself.Yet this year, an almost unheard-of turn of events has set tongues wagging and made hearts hopeful: The current rainy season in Namibia has been touted as perhaps the most generous on record in more than 35 years, with unprecedented volumes of rain falling across the nation in 2025.Traditionally, Namibia’s rainfall has been erratic and sparse, a capricious drizzle that barely fills the reservoirs and nourishes the parched soil.

Historical records suggest that many regions receive far less during average rainy seasons than we are witnessing now.The current deluge, compared to previous years, where many areas recorded meagre seasonal totals, has shattered long-held benchmarks.In regions that once saw seasonal totals in the low hundreds of millimetres, today’s figures are soaring, which heralds a stark contrast to the leaner and drier seasons of the past.



IMPLICATIONS FOR A DROUGHT-PRONE LANDOne might also wonder if a bountiful rainy season signifies the end of our perennial drought?Alas, the answer is more complex and not straightforward.While these generous rains offer a much-needed reprieve, they do not erase the deep-seated vulnerabilities of our water-scarce landscapes.Instead, they serve as a double-edged sword: On one side, a blessing that replenishes groundwater and fills our dams, while on the other, a reminder that without proper management, this deluge will only lead to floods, soil erosion and waterlogging.

The current rainfall, if effectively harnessed, could help break the cycle of drought that has long haunted Namibia.It provides an invaluable window of opportunity to recharge aquifers, restore ecosystems and give our agriculture a much-needed boost.However, translating these showers into long-term resilience rather than short-lived relief is the challenge.

SEIZING THE MOMENTRecognising the unique opportunity, the Namibian government has been quick on the uptake.Various initiatives are already underway to take advantage of the current bounty.For instance, substantial investments are being made in water storage infrastructure and modern irrigation systems.

The ongoing projects, ranging from upgrading dam capacities to developing desalination plants, are designed to capture and store these vital resources for future use.Moreover, agricultural support programmes are being ramped up.With fresh water available, efforts are being directed toward expanding rain-fed agriculture and promoting climate-smart farming techniques.

These initiatives aim to secure higher crop yields and diversify the agricultural portfolio, thereby reducing the chronic dependence on erratic rainfall.Community-based water harvesting techniques, such as semi-circular bunds, are gaining traction, ensuring that even the most remote, rural communities can benefit from the rain’s generosity.The government also collaborates with international agencies and local non-governmental organisations to bolster food security.

These partnerships are crucial in implementing technical assistance programmes that train farmers in sustainable practices and help them transition from drought-dependent to resilient, water-wise production systems.REWRITING THE FUTUREWhile current efforts are commendable, there remains a vast untapped potential for transforming Namibia’s climate narrative.Changing the long-held perception of drought as our immutable fate requires a multi-pronged approach:Namibia must invest further in state-of-the-art water storage and distribution systems.

Building more robust reservoirs and implementing efficient water transfer networks will ensure that every drop is judiciously conserved for lean times.Embracing innovative farming techniques such as precision agriculture, conservation tillage and drought-resistant crop varieties will help stabilise production even when the skies are less generous.This strategic shift will enable farmers to ride out future dry spells with greater confidence and productivity.

Strengthened meteorological and hydrological monitoring can provide timely data for pre-emptive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of both excessive rains and subsequent droughts.Knowledge is power, and by predicting weather patterns more accurately, Namibia can transform reactive measures into proactive strategies.Grassroots initiatives and farmer training programmes must be prioritised.

Empowering local communities with knowledge about rainwater harvesting, soil conservation and efficient irrigation will ensure that the benefits of this exceptional rainy season are spread widely and equitably.STEWARDS OF THE LANDIn the spirit of the old adage, “when it rains, it pours”, we now have an opportunity to transform this pouring rain into a fountain of hope and a resource to catalyse a sustainable and food-secure future.The sky’s generosity today may well be the harbinger of a new era for Namibia, one where the promise of renewal and abundance replaces the legacy of drought.

As stewards of this land, it is incumbent on us to seize the moment, invest in the future and to ensure that no Namibian goes hungry if the rains finally cease as much as we earnestly pray that they don’t.Oluibukun Ajayi is an associate professor in geoinformation technology at the Department of Land and Spatial Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust). He writes from Windhoek and can be reached via oajayi@nust.

na. The views expressed in this article are his own and not those of Nust.The post Will Generous Rains Break the Drought Narrative? appeared first on The Namibian.

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