NamPower has advised residents living downstream of the Ruacana Power Station to evacuate low‑lying areas, relocate livestock to higher ground, and maintain a safe distance from the banks of the Kunene River, as water levels could rise unexpectedly.

The warning comes as NamPower continues to open floodgates at the dam to allow water to flow through and to safeguard its infrastructure.

Heavy rains in Angola are now reaching the dam, increasing inflows.

According to Leonard Shemuvalula, the Manager of the Ruacana Hydropower Station, two gates were opened last week to release water.

The inflow has now decreased to 1,200 cubic metres per second, while the current outflow stands at 1,500 cubic metres per second.

Last week, the water discharge from the dam peaked at 1,800 cubic metres per second, which is equivalent to 1.8 million litres per second; this figure has since decreased, with the current level standing at 1,450 cubic metres per second.

At present, one flap gate and two scour gates are open.

Shemuvalula says that, despite the excess water, it does not translate into more electricity, as the power station can use a maximum of 300 cubic meters per second.