By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK Although flooding in Caprivi has not yet reached a critical stage, the Regional Governor Bernard Sibalatani has called on residents in affected areas to start moving to higher ground. The governor, who visited some villages along the Zambezi River last Friday, told New Era yesterday that villages are surrounded by water although the situation has not yet reached a stage where the residents will need emergency evacuation. Despite that, he called on people in flooded areas to start moving to higher ground. Some people in the visited areas still feel there is no need to move yet, but according to Sibalatani the situation could worsen. “People have not reached a stage to be evacuated. However, they should not wait until such a time when there will be a need to be airlifted. Water is still moving abnormally and anything can happen,” he warned. By Friday, the water readings stood at 6.50 meters – up compared to last week Thursday when the reading was 6.05 meters. This situation, Sibalatani stressed, needs constant monitoring. It is difficult for any one to predict how things might be with regard to water levels. This year’s flood situation is different especially that the water levels already experienced are common in April and not February. “This has never been reported in history. Usually, around this time of the year, we record between three to four meters but already we are in the range of six meters,” Sibalatani said. Villages visited included Mandombe, Sibongo, Ngonda, and Naziabo, among others. While the situation is not yet desperate, the floods have submerged crop fields and food shortages are likely in the near future. Sibalatani observed there will be no good harvests this year despite enough rains. “Crops are tassling just 60 centimeters above the ground and those in upper ground are withering,” he said. Last week, the governor requested the Emergency Management Unit (EMU) Desk in the office of the Prime Minister to prepare for emergencies as the Zambezi water levels continued to rise and serious flooding in villages along the river was imminent. A team from the EMU in Windhoek is expected to visit the region tomorrow. Under the leadership of Mbeuta ua Ndjarakana, the team aims to assess the situation on the ground before it compiles a report for the government. Based on the findings on the ground, the Secretary to Cabinet Frans Kapofi might convene a National Emergency Management Committee meeting to discuss the report and further action.