Windhoek's drought preparedness questioned amid strong El Niño forecasts

Windhoek relies on summer rainfall to fill its central dams, which supply 75% to 80% of the capital's water. Historically, strong El Niño episodes have coincided with severe rainfall deficiencies in central Namibia. While past droughts led to infrastructure improvements, such as the expansion of the Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant and the commissioning of a new direct potable reclamation facility, no comparable major new water source has been added since the 2015/16 drought.

Meanwhile, water demand has increased with the city's growth, reducing the buffer between supply and demand. To prepare for a potential drought, short-term measures include completing the Von Bach bypass pipeline, ensuring the Windhoek Aquifer is ready for emergency abstraction, and maintaining capacity for rapid demand management through water conservation. These interventions are seen as prudent preparation for a credible climatic risk, rather than a prediction of imminent drought.