Cloudburst chaos

RENATE Gaes and her neighbour went through the annual ritual of cleaning up after water flooded their houses in Hans Uirab Street, Katutura, on Wednesday last week.

Gaes says that every year, when it rains heavily, water floods their houses, which are built in a low-lying area of Katutura. This year the water entered through the back wall – which is made from corrugated iron sheets and wood, rising to a height of 50 to 60 cm, swamping electrical plugs and appliances.”My five kids were in the house during the rains and I feared for their safety,” she told The Namibian.”The waters moved the fridge and cupboards were destroyed,” she said.In her neighbour’s home, books and electrical appliances were also damaged.Gaes said that previously the Windhoek Municipality had promised to build a wall around their houses to keep flood water out, but nothing had been done.She added that she was still paying off some goods that were destroyed by the flooding.This year the water entered through the back wall – which is made from corrugated iron sheets and wood, rising to a height of 50 to 60 cm, swamping electrical plugs and appliances. “My five kids were in the house during the rains and I feared for their safety,” she told The Namibian. “The waters moved the fridge and cupboards were destroyed,” she said. In her neighbour’s home, books and electrical appliances were also damaged. Gaes said that previously the Windhoek Municipality had promised to build a wall around their houses to keep flood water out, but nothing had been done. She added that she was still paying off some goods that were destroyed by the flooding.