NAMWATER'S weekly dam bulletin shows that the average level of the country's dams now stands at 56,9 per cent, compared to last year's 58,4 per cent.

Windhoek's combined water resources currently stand at 66,1 per cent of full capacity, compared to 70,9 per cent at the same time last year.

The Von Bach Dam, which feeds Windhoek, is 84,3 per cent full as opposed to 91,7 per cent last year. Swakoppoort, which in turn is a reservoir for Von Bach, holds 83,5 per cent of its capacity, lower than the 86,3 per cent of last year.

With a precarious rainy season predicted, including projections of 50 per cent below average rainfall for February if El Ni-o continues at the current rate, this does not bode well for water supply for the capital.

The 2008-09 rainy season brought copious rains to the catchment areas of these dams and it is doubtful whether supplies will be replenished for the next year.

The dams at Gobabis are on average 41,8 per cent full compared to 54 per cent last year.

The Otjivero Dam at Omitara, which supplies the Daan and Tilda Viljoen dams at Gobabis, currently holds 64,3 per cent in the main dam while the silt dam holds 10,3 per cent.

Tilda Viljoen currently holds 75,5 per cent of its full capacity, the same as last season.

It is hoped that rain will fall in the catchment area soon, or water restrictions are on the cards for Gobabis.

The South, with Naute Dam wholly underutilised, has the same level as least year, namely 60,6 per cent.

The Oanob Dam holds 82,2 per cent compared to last year's 75 per cent and Hardap, not permitted to exceed 70 per cent of its capacity, stands at 54,7 per cent compared to last year's 55,2 per cent. If not replenished, the Hardap Irrigation Scheme will bear the brunt. According to Riaan van Zyl of the Windhoek Meteorological Office, the 2009-10 rainy season will not be a good one if the current trends continue.