First seasonal flood reaches Oshakati

FEARS of being flooded are increasing among residents of the Oshoopala location in Oshakati as the first flood wave hit the northern town on Thursday evening.

Yesterday morning, floodwater from the Sky oshana was just a few metres from some homes, while the wave of floodwater passed under the Kandjengedi bridge in Oshakati.A team of representatives from the office of the Oshana Governor, Oshana Police and Oshakati Town Council visited the location yesterday morning to assess the situation.Although it is not raining in the north at the moment, hydrologist Sylvanus Uunona said the first flood wave had arrived at Oshakati from southern Angola via the Cuvelai Drainage System.Uunona said the water level at Oshakati’s Kandjengedi bridge stood at 0,16 metre yesterday. ‘It is a small flood,’ he said. At the Endola settlement 20 km northeast of Oshakati, a culvert is about to be submerged.Floods in 2008 and 2009 left many people homeless and businesses closed in the North. Flooded roads also hampered social services such as pension payouts and access to clinics.Oshana Governor Clemens Kashuupulwa told The Namibian yesterday that the authorities were ready to help people affected by floods.He said although the first flood was not a strong one, it would not be underestimated because the situation could change if more rain fell.’We have the relocation centres ready and tents are there,’ Kashuupulwa said.