Namibia has warned that a potential return of the El Niño weather pattern threatens to deepen water shortages along the Lower Orange River, calling on neighboring Southern African nations to accelerate joint climate adaptation and infrastructure plans.
Speaking at the 47th Ordinary Meeting of the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) Council of Commissioners in Lesotho, Audrin Mathe, head of the Namibian delegation, stressed that intensifying climate variability poses an immediate challenge to regional water security. The Orange-Senqu River Basin spans Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa, supporting key agricultural, industrial, and municipal supply chains across the four nations.
“Current forecasts suggest a possible return of El Niño conditions, which could bring below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures,” said Mathe. “These risks highlight the critical need for basin-wide planning, improved forecasting, and deeper regional collaboration on climate adaptation strategies.”
The warning comes as extreme weather events increasingly strain resources across Southern Africa. The basin’s shared water supplies are critical for domestic power generation, mining operations, and commercial farming, making coordinated management vital for economic stability.
To bolster capacity, Namibia voiced support for several regional cross-border water projects, including the Noordoewer-Vioolsdrift Dam, the Lesotho-Botswana water transfer initiative, and Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
“No single country can address the basin’s growing water challenges alone,” Mathe said. “Effective management and cooperation are essential to safeguard water supplies and bolster economic resilience across our nations.”
