Rundu floods expose planning failures

Rundu residents have blamed years of poor town planning and inadequate infrastructure for recent floods that left homes damaged and families displaced.

Rundu Town Council spokesperson Benjamin Makayi says the council has not been able to confirm whether the damage was caused by rain or other factors.

“We are not aware of rain floods. It’s a natural disaster and affected residents are not coming forth to the office for assistance,” Makayi says.

He adds that the matter needs an investigation from the technical team to provide proper findings.

“As for today, I can not give clarification since we are not on the ground to get all the required information,” he notes.

Makayi argues that flooding at the Kehemu location is not a new case because of the landscape in the area.

However, Kehemu residents, who suffered severe damage during the flood, have voiced deep frustration with what they describe as poor town planning and a lack of emergency response.

They say the area lacks proper street drainage, bridges, and infrastructure to allow water to flow freely.

Resident Emelda Mwamo has accused local leaders of neglecting the community’s needs.

“We vote for leaders who think for themselves but not for the benefit of the people who elect them into power,” she says.

Last month The Namibian reported that Mwamo lost her television, microwave, electric stove, and two beds to the floodwaters.

Another resident, Sylvia Kanyinga, says families were left helpless.

“We do not know where we will sleep, and we can not cook now because we cook outside. Our kitchen was destroyed,” she says, adding that the community has raised the same concerns for over two decades.

Petrus Muha, whose car and toilet were damaged by the flood, says residents lack information on safe building zones, and their proposals to create water pathways or level the ground have gone unanswered.

The council says it would provide a full response once technical assessments are completed.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.