WINDHOEK, March 22 (Xinhua) -- As Namibia's northern central region braces for flood, the water levels in the Cuvelai iishanas (floodplains) are increasing and will increase further, warned the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry's Hydrological Services on Wednesday.
Water levels in the Cuvelai are rising after heavy rains in Angola, causing more floods in the catchments.
According Margaret Kalo, Senior Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, flooding in the Cuvelai basin remains a concern, and communities are urged to be on high alert especially the western part of Ohangwena region.
The magnitude of flood in the northern part of the country is expected to surpass the flood experienced in 2011 in the northern-central region. As such, according to senior hydrologist, Leonard Hango, the flood experienced in the northern part of Namibia is likely to be worse than that of 2011.
The flood coupled with rainfall received in the country has already affected schools and villages in the both urban and rural areas in the northern part of the country.
Recently, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture closed more than 64 schools in Omusati region, as well as in the Ohangwena and Oshana regions as water level rises.
Hundreds of people in northern regions of Namibia have also been displaced by the floodwater rises. In the interim, displaced flood victims have been relocated to temporary camps on higher grounds, accommodated in tents.
In Oshana region, Katarina Kamari, communications officer at the Oshakati Town Council said that more than 570 people, including adults and children have been accommodated in tents at Ekuku residential area. In Ohangwena region, those affected by the flood been relocated to Omafo, in tents erected with the assistance of Namibia Red Cross Society and the Ohangwena Regional Council. Residents of Omusati regions have also been displaced, confirmed Tangeni Haukena of the Namibia Red Cross Society.
In its recent bulletin, Hydrological Services indicated that contingency planning for flood mitigation and recovery must be activated and communities living in flood prone areas must take precautionary measures.
To mitigate the flood impact and for early warning system, local authorities are ensuring that communities are informed on the flow of water. Radio is playing an active role in disseminating information. In addition, civil society and local governance bodies are responding promptly by engaging communities affected.
In the Omusati region, according to Erginus Endjala, Governor of Omusati region, the regional council has in the meantime trained community members on how to use canoes, for them to evacuate to higher grounds once hard-hit by the flood.
"Once hard-hit by floods, we urge people to move to higher grounds, and contact their regional council office for help with urgency," added northern-based senior hydrologist surnamed Hango.
In the meantime, despite the flood and its potential risks, social dynamics are still at play.
Amid flooding comes an opportunity for food in form of fish, and many people in the northern regions are tapping on this opportunity when they are blocked out to access other markets.
"The water has also brought along fish. We urge communities to be cautious when fishing. They should be accompanied by a family member who can swim and save them in case of danger. In risky cases, we urge residents to move to higher grounds, to ensure we save lives," said Hango.
