Flood in Caprivi ‘under control’

PEOPLE in the Caprivi Region are still being relocated to higher ground on a daily basis, although the Zambezi River level has dropped to 6,98 m, some 30 centimetres lower than a week ago.

“The water level in the river has fallen, but not in the floodplains, the water remains at the same level in those areas,” a Red Cross official told The Namibian yesterday. “There is however a large number of people who relocate themselves to higher ground,” said Tamuka Chitemere, technical manager from the Harare office of the International Federation of Red Cross Societies (IFRCS).Chitemere was sent to the Caprivi to help with the flood situation.Government has released N$10 million as emergency relief from its Contingency Fund.This was revealed when President Hifikepunye visited the flooded region last weekend.The money is being used to hire boats to relocate people and their belongings, to pay for their fuel and to buy food supplies for needy people.”The situation in the Caprivi flood areas is difficult, but under control and fairly OK,” said Frans Kapofi, Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.”We have more boats available now and relocation is still in full swing,” Kapofi told The Namibian yesterday.”There is however a large number of people who relocate themselves to higher ground,” said Tamuka Chitemere, technical manager from the Harare office of the International Federation of Red Cross Societies (IFRCS).Chitemere was sent to the Caprivi to help with the flood situation.Government has released N$10 million as emergency relief from its Contingency Fund.This was revealed when President Hifikepunye visited the flooded region last weekend.The money is being used to hire boats to relocate people and their belongings, to pay for their fuel and to buy food supplies for needy people.”The situation in the Caprivi flood areas is difficult, but under control and fairly OK,” said Frans Kapofi, Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.”We have more boats available now and relocation is still in full swing,” Kapofi told The Namibian yesterday.