Albertina Nakale
Some areas of the Zambezi region are no longer accessible by road because of the heavy rainfall in the catchment area.
By Monday, the Zambezi River’s water level rose to 1.77 metres and is currently above normal.Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu this week confirmed the flash floods in the Kabbe South constituency and also in Katima Mulilo.
Localised heavy floods in Katima Mulilo have been reported since Thursday last week.
“The Zambezi River is rising rapidly. We are expecting some floods. We don’t know the magnitude of the floods. We will know the extent by end of February and March. The flood prone-areas in Kabbe South are not accessible by road anymore. People are using canoes to move,” he briefed.
Areas that are cut off by floodwater include Muzii and surrounding villages. He said there is no damage to property or loss of lives reported.On flash floods reported in Katima Mulilo, Sampofu said these floods occurred Thursday evening.According to him, the floods caused damage to the roads in town.
“The main street was flooded. Motorists had to drive their cars in the water. The roads were damaged because the rain caused potholes,” he said.
The Kavango River is also gradually rising and stood at 4.65m by Sunday. Water levels are higher compared to the same period last year.
Flows in the Kunene River remain low during this time of the year.
The Namibia Meteorological Service acting deputy director Odillo Kgobetsi cautioned contingency planning for flood mitigation and recovery must be activated for flood-prone areas as more rains are forecast.
Communities are advised to be on high alert for possible flood risks and take the necessary precautionary measures.
Despite the possible flood warning, Sampofu said most farmers in the region remain reluctant to move their livestock to high grounds as advised.
“They should move their livestock to higher grounds and not wait for the situation to worsen,” he appealed. The rain is expected from the central-north, over the central part towards the southeastern regions.
On Sunday, some of the towns with high rainfall recorded include Otavi measuring between 70 -100mm, Nkurenkuru 68mm, Okahandja 57, Mpacha airport 36mm, Waterberg 38mm, Gobabis with 28 mm.
Those who recorded less than 10 mm include Mariental with 11mm, Aranos at 8mm, and Windhoek recorded 3mm.
–anakale@nepc.com.na