Caprivi threatened by second flood

VILLAGERS in the eastern Caprivi floodplains are reportedly waiting for a “second wave” to hit the area before they evacuate their homes.

The head of the delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ndeutapo Amagulu, said yesterday that they still faced a tough task in convincing people to leave their homes. “We haven’t taken any notable group from their homes.There is still resistance that it is not yet necessary [to move].They feel they are still safe,” he said.Yesterday, the river, as measured at Katima Mulilo, stood at 6,88 metres, two centimetres down from Monday.But according to readings from Lukulu in Zambia, from which Namibian water experts make their predictions on the flow of the river into the Caprivi, the water levels are still rising.The Department of Hydrology said yesterday that this wave was still on its way to the Caprivi.At last count, about 400 people were reported to have evacuated their homes – mostly of their own accord.”People have erected stronger houses than before.They have acquired a lot of things and are scared that if they go they will be stolen and vandalised,” Amagulu, said.As many as 10 000 people are estimated to be affected by the situation – half of whom are at immediate risk.With expectations that the situation will worsen at the weekend, Amagulu said emergency teams were bracing themselves for the “more urgent and prompt evacuation of people”.By yesterday, four main reception areas for those evacuated – Schuckmannsburg, Kabbe and Lusese, Impalila – had received adequate supplies of food, tents and mosquito nets to house the affected in the coming week.Tents to serve as makeshift classrooms, Amagulu said, were now also in place, but many teachers had apparently pre-empted the closure of the schools and had left.It was intended that school would continue for Grade 10 and 12 learners in the safer areas.Only two of six schools identified as at immediate risk – those at Muzii and Nankuntwe – were officially ordered to close.At least six out of 21 schools were identified as affected by the flooding.Of immediate concern, Amagulu said, was ensuring that supplies were replenished to ensure that people could continually be fed.A large consignment of aid is expected to arrive from Red Cross stores in Zimbabwe soon.Clinics are also now being set up at the relocation areas to deal with an expected outbreak of water-borne diseases.”We haven’t taken any notable group from their homes.There is still resistance that it is not yet necessary [to move].They feel they are still safe,” he said.Yesterday, the river, as measured at Katima Mulilo, stood at 6,88 metres, two centimetres down from Monday.But according to readings from Lukulu in Zambia, from which Namibian water experts make their predictions on the flow of the river into the Caprivi, the water levels are still rising.The Department of Hydrology said yesterday that this wave was still on its way to the Caprivi.At last count, about 400 people were reported to have evacuated their homes – mostly of their own accord.”People have erected stronger houses than before.They have acquired a lot of things and are scared that if they go they will be stolen and vandalised,” Amagulu, said.As many as 10 000 people are estimated to be affected by the situation – half of whom are at immediate risk.With expectations that the situation will worsen at the weekend, Amagulu said emergency teams were bracing themselves for the “more urgent and prompt evacuation of people”.By yesterday, four main reception areas for those evacuated – Schuckmannsburg, Kabbe and Lusese, Impalila – had received adequate supplies of food, tents and mosquito nets to house the affected in the coming week.Tents to serve as makeshift classrooms, Amagulu said, were now also in place, but many teachers had apparently pre-empted the closure of the schools and had left.It was intended that school would continue for Grade 10 and 12 learners in the safer areas.Only two of six schools identified as at immediate risk – those at Muzii and Nankuntwe – were officially ordered to close.At least six out of 21 schools were identified as affected by the flooding.Of immediate concern, Amagulu said, was ensuring that supplies were replenished to ensure that people could continually be fed.A large consignment of aid is expected to arrive from Red Cross stores in Zimbabwe soon.Clinics are also now being set up at the relocation areas to deal with an expected outbreak of water-borne diseases.