Climate change sweeps over African nation of Namibia with devastating results

May 12, 2011 – NAMIBIA – The waters of the raging floods in North-Central and North-Eastern Namibia might have subsided drastically over the last couple of weeks, but it would seemingly take more to restore the lives of an about 220,000 people estimated to have been affected by the floods. According to the United Nation’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Namibia, Kari Egge, the figure is based on the assumption that about 15 per cent of residents of the country’s seven flood hit regions would carry the consequences of the disaster. The floods resulted in the loss of lives and severe damage to properties and infrastructure; led to the closure of school and clinics, and disrupted the daily routines of those it affected. Over 100,000 learners in 324 schools were affected by flooding, of which 163 were closed, and 22 health clinics were either submerged or completely surrounded by water. The fact that the areas prone to the annual flooding hosts more than half of Namibia’s total population did not ease the burden on government. –African Review

In early May 2011, more rain fell in one day in parts of Namibia and South Africa than typically falls in an entire year. For several months, unusually heavy and persistent rains have soaked southern and western Africa and filled a few river basins that have been quiescent for years. The latest storm moistened arid desert regions. The photo depicts what is likely a “shelf cloud” associated with a high precipitation super-cell thunderstorm. The clouds are pulled nearly to ground level by extremely strong downdrafts. As large amounts of rain fall, and larger and heavier rain droplets pull the air down with them. As the cold, wet air reaches the desert floor, it makes a wedge of condensed water. The curl at the bottom occurs because the down-drafting winds hit the Earth’s surface and have to spread out. The bullseye precipitation pattern depicted in the top image occurs because these storms are short-lived and dump large amounts of rain very quickly in one area. -NASA