THE northern regions of Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto have received a number of warnings and they have been put on high alert as heavy rains are expected in the region in addition to floods flowing in from Angola.
The SADC climate services centre recently issued a warning to several countries in the region, including Namibia, of expected heavy rain forecasts.
The centre noted that there is a high probability that central-to-north-eastern Namibia will receive more than 50mm of rain in a 24 hour period until today.
A number of schools in these regions are expected to close down due to massive flooding after the recent heavy rains over the last few days.
Leonard Hango, chief hydrologist in the ministry of agriculture, based at Oshakati told The Namibian in an interview that following the recent rains, more schools in the four northern regions face a huge possibility of closure as the water is all over the place and teachers and pupils cannot reach schools due to the floods.
“The situation is worse, pupils and teachers cannot access their schools and water is all over. We have a combination of rain water and storm water coming in from Angola and as it continues to rain, the water flow increases. So to be on the safe side, schools need to be closed for a couple of days at least.
“Many young children and the elderly are reported to have drowned in the regions and we need to be on the safer side than be sorry when the unfortunate events happen. We are in constant communication with school authorities in the four regions and we have also informed them on the possible closure of the schools that poses a high risk to both teachers and pupils. The rain is still continuing and we should expect more water than the current flow,” he said.
Hango said that the situation is more desperate on the western part of the Cuvelai basin which includes parts of Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshana regions.
“We are still expecting a significant inflow of water from Angola that will add on the water situation that we already have. We are in regular contact with our counterparts in Angola and we are informed that more inflow is expected to reach Namibia soon,” he said.
Oshana sha Gongo River in Omusati and Oshigambo River in Oshikoto are said to have burst their banks and flowing very fast.
Oshakati and Ondangwa towns are also said to be hard hit by the floods as both towns lack stormwater drains to allow water to flow out easily.
“Ondangwa and Oshakati do not have stormwater channels and the situation is adversely affecting the residents. Local authorities have been informed to put in place stormwater channels, but they fail to adhere to such recommendations. We have also received reports of homesteads in Omusati region being relocated to higher ground, even those that were said to be on higher ground.
“We expect more relocations from the rural areas and informal settlements,” said Hango.
Hango cautioned members of the public not to cross flooded streams as they risk being washed away by the fast-flowing water.
The regional education director for Ohangwena, Isack Hamatwi, said the directorate had closed two schools in the region due to flooding, and more schools are expected to be closed once a comprehensive report has been compiled.
Shitwa Secondary School in Endola constituency and Edundja Primary School in Omafo constituency have been closed for the whole week.
“We are expecting to close more flooded schools. I’m yet to receive a comprehensive report from the school inspectors and once we are done, we will be able to know how many schools will be closed down. Last week, we received a report of the drowning of a pupil at Edundja Primary School, who was attempting to cross a stream on her way to school and it’s really sad to hear of it. Thus we are planning on closing schools that are of high risk to both teachers and pupils,” he said.
No damage to schools has been reported in Ohangwena region.
The education director of Oshana, Hileni Amukana, could not be reached for comments.
Other regional directors could not be reached as many were out in the field accessing the impact of the floods in their respective regions.
Education executive director, Sanet Steenkamp could not confirm the school closures, saying she has been alerted of the flood situation in the regions. However, she said the ministry will continue monitoring the situation.
