KABBE – Communities in Kabbe South and Kabbe North have been cut off by rapidly rising floodwaters, leaving residents stranded, disrupting essential services and threatening livelihoods.

In an interview with New Era, the Ngambela of the Masubia Traditional Authority, where Kabbe falls, Raphael Mbala, said the situation escalated rapidly in early March, as water levels in the Zambezi River rose at an alarming rate.

“The flood rose very fast this year. On 5 March, the level was at 4.89 metres. By the next day, it had jumped to 5.36 metres – an increase of 47 centimetres overnight,” Mbala said.

By Monday, the river had risen up to seven metres, forcing water to overflow into the flood plains. 

This has affected residents and schools.

He added that, once the Zambezi River reaches high levels, water quickly spills into surrounding plains, streams and channels, cutting off Kabbe communities.

“When the ponds, channels and plains are full, everything becomes inaccessible. There is no movement by road,” he said.

Villages and schools 

Several villages and schools across the constituency are now isolated, including Kasika, Ivilivinzi, Muzi, Pukano, Itomba and Namiundu, among other villages.

Residents in Ivilivinzi, along with neighbouring areas like Mpukano, Muzii, Itomba and Nsundwa, have been forced to rely on dugout canoes for transport.

“Transport is completely cut off. There is no way vehicles can reach these areas anymore,” Mbala said.

Residents are now relying on dugout canoes and banana boats (speedboats) for movement, a mode of transport he described as both costly and dangerous.

“People are using canoes, but it is very risky because of hippos and crocodiles. A trip can cost over N$100 one way,” he added.

Dire

An affected farmer and retired teacher at Ikaba Hebert Njenjema described the situation as dire, with entire plains submerged.

“The whole plains are covered with water. People are now using canoes and banana boats to travel,” he said.

Access to essential services has been severely affected, with some residents forced to receive pension payouts while standing in water. “The boat just stands in the water, and people are paid there. It is very dangerous,” Njenjema said.

Clinics in areas such as Itomba and Mbalasinte are cut off, making it difficult for the sick to access healthcare.

“From here to Schuckmannsburg, people pay about N$100 one way by boat. To return is N$200. It is too expensive, especially for the sick,” he added.

Shortages, rising costs

Flooding has also disrupted access to food, with transport costs driving up prices of basic commodities.

“A bag of maize meal can cost an extra N$100 just for transport into the village,” Njenjema said.

Farmers

Farmers are also facing potential losses, particularly of crops such as cassava, which can rot if left too long in water.

“Some cassava is already in water. If it stays too long, it will be spoilt,” he said.

While some farmers have managed to move livestock to higher grounds in areas such as Lusese and Ngoma, because grazing land is becoming limited.

“Most people have moved their cattle, but places like Itomba do not have enough grazing when floods are high,” Njenjema said.

Mbala noted that, although water levels have recently begun to stabilise, the situation remains unpredictable.

“When the plains fill up, the river level may appear to drop, but it can rise again once the water flows back. That is when it becomes dangerous,” he warned.

He added that the current flooding could spread further in the coming days, cutting off additional areas.

Intervention

Traditional leaders are now calling for immediate and long-term interventions, including improved transport systems and elevated infrastructure.

“The solution is to elevate schools and key facilities. Communities run to schools during floods. If schools are safe, people and learners can remain there,” Mbala said.

Residents also raised concerns over the long-standing failure to operationalise government transport solutions such as the Kabajani ferry. “We have heard about it for many years, but nothing is happening. People are suffering,” Njenjema said.

With floodwaters continuing to spread across Kabbe South and Kabbe North, residents remain stranded, facing high transport costs, limited access to healthcare and growing food insecurity.

– anakale@nepc.com.na