By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK As flooding continues to look likely in the Kavango floodplains this year, the Kavango Regional Emergency Management Unit (REMU) says the situation is under control with ongoing assessment. Chief Regional Officer of the Kavango Region, Sebastian Kantema, informed New Era yesterday that an urgent precautionary call was issued to villagers, especially those living along the banks of the Kavango River, to move to higher ground for safety. The river has already burst its banks due to the heavy rains in neighbouring Angola, where the river has its source. “The situation is under control as people’s lives or livestock are not threatened,” said Kantema, adding that no incidents have been reported to his office so far. Indications are that the water levels of the Kavango River are rising steadily every day. On average, the water level is rising by two metres a day. Currently, it stands at 6,57 compared to 4,25 metres for the same period last year. Concerns are that most of the floodplains are already under water, while some of the community members have not yet moved away from the affected area. In light of this, Kantema once again stressed the importance of villagers making their move early in order to prevent any unnecessary loss of lives as well as their livestock. “They must start early. We cannot just wait for government to evacuate them and their cattle. We normally have the tendency to wait until the last minute, but we need to be proactive now. We must be prepared if anything happens,” said Kantema. The Regional Emergency Management Unit in the Kavango has decided to hold an emergency stakeholders’ meeting early next week to thoroughly assess the situation and see how best they can render assistance to those in need. It will only be after a meeting with relevant authorities and the Kavango Regional Governor, John Thighuru, that a more comprehensive assessment can be made about the possible flood situation. “We can only inform headquarters in Windhoek, until we have collected all the information. Then we can see how we can help the affected people and the kind of assistance they may need,” Kantema added. Meanwhile, latest weather indications from the Windhoek Met Office show that there is a 20 percent chance of rain in the north and north-eastern parts of the country. However, weather forecaster, Victor Kaurimuje of the Windhoek Met Office, informed New Era that this percentage of rain is somehow insignificant. It appears the Kavango and Caprivi regions have received the major share of the showers during the rainy season so far. This may likely lead to more rising flood waters for the residents of the Kavango region’s flood-prone areas. During last year’s wet spell, the highest rainfall of 32,3mm was recorded at Katima Mulilo on December 26, while Nkurenkuru in the Kavango received 25,3mm.