Avis cut off by raging torrent

THE Klein Windhoek River, in full flood after the sluice gates of the Avis Dam opened automatically on Wednesday afternoon, blocked the only access road to the Avis suburb.

Avis residents coming home after work were stranded and had to find other accommodation for the night. Yesterday morning, the fire brigade was called in to help people cross the river.A fire ladder was extended over the river and firefighters helped people to walk across it.Businesses in Avis say they suffered a huge loss of income because they were cut off by the flood.The Onganga Pension in Avis said some guests were caught on the other side of the river last night and had to spend the night somewhere else.This morning, they collected their luggage and moved to other lodgings.”The road washes away every rainy season and we lose business.Instead of repairing it every time, the City could just build a small bridge,” said Stefanie Heussen, the owner of Onganga.Avis residents say they have signed numerous petitions in the past and the City of Windhoek promises to look into the situation every time, but so far nothing has come of it.The water supply to Avis and parts of Klein Windhoek was also disrupted after pipelines were washed away.Municipal workers were trying to repair the damaged pipes yesterday.Underground telephone cables were also washed away.The Avis Dam’s sluice gate was closed at about 10h00 yesterday morning.The water released throughout the night had lowered the level of the dam by about 1,8 metres.Yesterday morning, the fire brigade was called in to help people cross the river.A fire ladder was extended over the river and firefighters helped people to walk across it.Businesses in Avis say they suffered a huge loss of income because they were cut off by the flood. The Onganga Pension in Avis said some guests were caught on the other side of the river last night and had to spend the night somewhere else.This morning, they collected their luggage and moved to other lodgings.”The road washes away every rainy season and we lose business.Instead of repairing it every time, the City could just build a small bridge,” said Stefanie Heussen, the owner of Onganga.Avis residents say they have signed numerous petitions in the past and the City of Windhoek promises to look into the situation every time, but so far nothing has come of it.The water supply to Avis and parts of Klein Windhoek was also disrupted after pipelines were washed away.Municipal workers were trying to repair the damaged pipes yesterday.Underground telephone cables were also washed away.The Avis Dam’s sluice gate was closed at about 10h00 yesterday morning.The water released throughout the night had lowered the level of the dam by about 1,8 metres.