Onakamuandi – Heavy rains in Onakamuandi village in the Oshana region have once again disrupted everyday life, as floodwaters have submerged the main routes linking different parts of the community.
Movement within the village has become difficult, leaving residents dependent on donkey carts to navigate the flooded passages.
Known for recurring floods, Onakamuandi has seen footpaths, informal crossings and access roads disappear under water.
In the absence of safe walkways, donkey carts have emerged as the only dependable mode of transport, ferrying residents, goods and vulnerable community members across the water.
Each day, donkey carts gather near flooded crossing points, offering passage to those needing to reach clinics, shops or relatives on the other side. While the situation has brought distress to many households, it has also provided a modest source of income for some residents.
Frans Shaketange, a donkey cart operator who has worked in the area for several years, said he adjusts his prices based on people’s circumstances.
“I charge according to what someone has. I do not force anyone to pay,” he said, adding that the work helps him support his livelihood despite the difficult conditions.
Although residents often express frustration, Shaketange said the service remains essential. “People may complain, but crossing the water is necessary,” he said.
The flooding poses serious risks, particularly for elderly residents, children and those who are ill. Hileni Naftal said the rainy season brings anxiety to families, especially when access to health services is affected.
“This is the hardest time for us. Older people and sick patients still have to cross the water to get to the clinic, even when they are too weak to move,” she said.
She warned that transporting patients through deep water on donkey carts can be dangerous, especially for those who cannot swim.
Community members said a bridge built in the area has repeatedly been damaged by heavy rains, leaving residents exposed in rainy seasons.
“It breaks almost every year because of the floods,” Jeremiah said.
Residents are now calling on the government to construct a stronger and more durable bridge that can withstand heavy rainfall.
Those who cannot afford donkey cart transport are forced to wade through the water on foot, balancing their belongings on their heads.
Despite the hardships, some residents have found ways to cope. Tobias Lukas, a local resident, said the floods have provided access to frogs and fish for household consumption, though farming has been hampered by saturated soil.