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Flooding alert in the north


NAMIBIANS living near Angola’s borders have been warned to be on the alert for possible flooding from Angola.

This comes after a flash flood has been observed in the areas of Ondjiva and Namacunde in Angola’s Cunene area, although it has not reached Namibia’s borders yet.

The senior hydrologist in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Leonard Hango, yesterday said the community along the border should be on the alert as floodwaters may reach them in the coming days.

He said he went to visit streams on Wednesday where floods usually pass to see whether they have crossed the borders yet.

“Our observations on the ground revealed there is no floodwater yet that has crossed the border,” Hango said.

He said the impending flood would be in the direction of Ondjiva and Onamacunde in Angola.

“This means it is only concentrating on the eastern part of the Cuvelai. There is no imminent flood on the western part of Cuvelai [basin],” he said.

Hango said this means there is no threat of approaching flooding from Omungwelume village westwards.

“We have two sources of floodwater from Angola: The first one is the Cuvelai system. It originates from the Cuvelai town in Angola, and comes through the Cuvelai River to Evale,” he said.

From Evale, the oshanas start connecting with Namibia, he said.

“In the event of heavy rains in the areas of Cuvelai, Mupa and Evale, the river overflows. When it overflows, these oshanas carry water towards our borders until Namibia’s Etosha National Park,” Hango said.

“The imminent flood we are expecting to cross the borders travels at a slow pace. It first wets the area and then spreads. That slows the flow,” he said.

Hango said the ministry is ready and on the ground to inform affected residents accordingly.

“We do not want people to panic. We want people to be ready. They must relax. We will provide daily information,” he said.

Hango said the floodwaters currently flowing towards Namibia may affect villages such as Odibo, Oshikango, Engela, Oimbadalunga, Ohaingu, and Omufitu wa Nakashole.

“We are just alerting the people in that vicinity. Further warnings will be communicated to other towns and villages,” he said.

The hydrologist said residents are warned to take precautionary measures and to be observant at all times.

“It is known with flash floods that at night they are faster due to less evaporation. Therefore it can surprise people in the mornings, finding the streams full,” he said.

MONITORING DEVICES VANDALISED

Hango said when he visited flood-monitoring devices along the oshanas carrying water from Angola, it was observed that most stations have been vandalised.

“These stations help us determine or monitor the flow of water. Now they are damaged. People break them down, remove the batteries, solar panels, wires and sensors,” he said.

“This is vandalism. Now we will not know as a department how to provide timely flood warning information. Only a few stations are left,” he said.

According to him, the ministry will try its best to provide timely flood warnings.

“People should be on the alert. The water will pass through the borders and reach them at any time. We will be able to determine whether it will be stagnant or spreading,” he said.

Minister of agriculture, water and land reform Calle Schlettwein took to his Twitter account on Wednesday, saying the ministry has had a sophisticated flood-monitoring system covering all ephemeral rivers, including those causing floods.

“It is with great concern that we found many stations vandalised or equipment stolen. The early warning system that is very much needed for flood damage mitigation is now totally disabled.

“Such theft and vandalism should not be tolerated since it directly harms the communities that bear the risk of flood damage,” he said.

‘SOIL STILL DRY’

Oshana regional governor Elia Irimari yesterday said he is aware of the possible flood and has seen videos published by Angolan media.

He said he has dispatched a hydraulic team to assess the situation and was informed that the water has not reached Namibia yet.

“The soil is still dry. The floodwater first absorbs and wets the area. We are urging our people to be on the alert and ready for this,” Irimari said.

The governor also warned those who have built their houses and structures in water channels to relocate to safer areas.

“I always urge people to ask residents who have been in the area for years to avoid building in water pathways,” he said.

He urged local authorities to avoid allocating land in areas where water passes if not properly serviced, to ensure water does not collect in these areas.

UNBLOCKING THE CANAL

NamWater spokesperson Michael Mikka says floods affect water canals because they fill up with sand.

“The canal passes through the oshanas through which the floodwaters pass. Our maintenance team will be on standby 24 hours a day to ensure they unblock the canal,” he says.

Water reaches purification plants by gravity, and if a canal is blocked, it affects the pumping of water into the plants, he says.

TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES STANDING BY

Oukwanyama Traditional Authority spokesperson Andrew Naikaku says the authority is aware of possible flooding.

He says they will assist the public where they can.

“We will assist with food and land, and those affected will be relocated. We do this and we have been doing it over the years,” he says.

He says the authority can also assist with tents. Ombalantu Traditional Authority spokesperson Angula Kanelombe says they are also aware of possible flooding.

He says the authority will assist with food and shelter.

“We do not really have much to give, because the government mostly assits with many humanitarian needs, but with food and land, we can help.

“We do not really have a budget for this,” Kanelombe says.





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