Fish River Canyon at the main viewpoint near Hobas, Namibia (Photo: Grobler du Preez / Shutterstock)
A total of 96 hikers, including a group of school children, were trapped in the Fish River Canyon in Namibia after heavy rain caused the Nautedam to rise above capacity and sluices had to be opened.
According to reports, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) is engaged in a rescue operation after the group was trapped in nine separate groups in the canyon. Meanwhile, Channel 7 reported that 60 of the hikers had already been evacuated from the canyon.
The walkers were apparently trapped after heavy rain in the catchment area of the Nautedam caused dangerous, rising water levels downstream. According to NamWater, the dam’s level rose to above 116% of its capacity, after which one of the locks was opened to release water at about 102 m³ per second.
NWR has already confirmed earlier that the Fish River hiking trail is closed with immediate effect due to heavy rain in the Nautedam’s catchment area and the opening of the dam’s sluices. According to NWR, the safety of walkers can be at risk under these circumstances.
The nearby Neckartal Dam is also over capacity and dumping large volumes of water into the Fish River. Informanté reports that water is released from this dam at approximately 870 m³/s, while the Nautedam’s level rose from 116.9% to 117.3% on Sunday.
Marius Katamila, the ||Kharas police regional commissioner, has on The Namibian confirmed that members of the Special Reserve Force and a police helicopter were stationed at NWR’s Hobas Resort to assist with the rescue operation.
“As far as we know, ten hikers walked out on their own on Sunday. However, we received a helicopter to reinforce the rescue efforts,” Katamila said.
In the meantime, NWR has temporarily closed the Fish River Canyon hiking trail until conditions are safe again. The public has been advised to stay off the route and avoid the area until further notice. NWR confirmed the route will remain closed until further notice.
Channel 7 reports that water from the Naute Dam is expected to reach the valley by tomorrow.