The Namibian Meteorological Services is forecasting heavy rains in the northern parts of Namibia for this week.
Following heavy rains in the last few days, many floodplains are already filled to the brim.
“The rain is expected to continue for the next few days,” weather forecaster Odilo Kgobetsi said.
He said heavy rains are expected today and tomorrow, with the moisture expected to stretch into the coming days.
Kgobetsi said Omusati region has been recording high rainfall of 50mm and above in the last few days.
“There are reports of places already underwater – and it is likely that flash floods will be experienced in some parts of the north,” he indicated.
Most towns in the north and neighbouring villages are flooded after the recent heavy rains.
Most informal settlements are also submerged in water, and the water catchment areas can be observed overflowing with water to the brim.
The rain brings hope to drought-stricken farmers, who hoped for rainfall to revive their already-dying crops.
In many parts of the north, particularly in Omusati region, crops had already begun drying out due to minimal to no rainfall in the past months.
Maria Shilongo from Omusati region stated that though it has been raining in their region for the past few days, the rain received at the moment cannot make an impact.
“It has rained, but it won’t make an impact, but we hope that it will continue for a little longer,” said Shilongo.
Shilongo said they are also glad for the water currently flowing in the streams and rivers in the region because the region had a water crisis.
There are warnings of possible flooding in the northern parts of the country, as more rainfall is expected this week.
While many Namibians have celebrated the recent good rains, Selma Shinana from Oshikango location in Oshakati woke up with soaking wet blankets on Saturday morning after her house was flooded on Friday night.
“More than 10 houses in my street are flooded. I don’t know about the entire location. I don’t how the water entered my house,” she said.
Shinana narrated that when she was getting out of bed in the morning, she stepped into the water. When she walked out of the room, she noticed her house was flooded.
The lack of a drainage system at Oshakati has turned into a headache for some residents, who found themselves on the receiving end of the heavy rains.
“However, after we alerted the Oshakati Town Council, they immediately came to the rescue by pumping the water and making ways for the water to flow,” she said.
Most Oshakati residents from informal settlements were flooded on Saturday night after sustained rain showers overnight.
Residents, who voiced their frustration yesterday, said the floods are nothing new, but municipality fails to address the situation.
“It has been happening for several years but the problem has not been addressed,” a resident in Oneshila said.
She added that the rain damages their homes and affects the lifespan of their appliances, consequently impacting their house and furniture insurance.
– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na
Caption (Floods):