Thousands of stranded cattle wait for death as waters rise

THOUSANDS of cattle stranded shoulder deep in floodwaters in eastern Caprivi are certain to drown as the Zambezi River continues to rise.

Officials say that nothing can be done to save the animals. The Zambezi is expected to swell by at least 30 centimetres in the next 10 days.Yesterday agricultural extension officers were flown over the area to determine the estimated number of animals which will inevitably be lost to the floods.In the Muzii area alone, about 5 000 head of cattle are trapped.Head of delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ndeutapo Amagulu, told The Namibian after returning from the flight over the affected area yesterday that it was horrific sight to see that only the spines of the animals were visible.He described the situation as “really pathetic” but said there was nothing that could be done to rescue the cattle.”They are too far [in the water].It’s too risky [for people] to get them out,” he said.Animals stranded in the rising waters are reported to be grazing from grass taller than themselves and are having to raise their heads above the water to feed.”It is a pity [that they are going to die], but the people are to blame.They were warned long ago to move them, but they thought the floods wouldn’t come because they came last year,” said Amagulu.With the second wave of floods having reached Katima Mulilo 48 hours ago, the Zambezi is on course to reach the seven-metre mark for a second time this month.Yesterday it measured 6,64 m at Katima Mulilo, having shown steady increases of about two centimetres since the weekend.The department of hydrology expects the river to peak by the end of next week.On April 4, the river, as measured at the town, topped 7,05 metres after not exceeding the seven-metre mark since 1979.Deputy Director of Hydrology in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Guido van Langenhove, told The Namibian yesterday that once the river peaked, it could be another month before the waters started to subside substantially in the eastern floodplains.By the second half of May the water is expected to drop by at least five centimetres a day.While the hydrology department has not received information about the pattern of the river from Lukulu, Zambia, in recent days, it has learnt that no more rain is expected in this area soon.Van Langenhove said it was now critical to monitor the course of the waters as they moved westwards towards Lake Liambezi.The Ngoma area, he said, could flood for at least another month as the lake filled up, damaging mostly crop fields in its wake.Unlike residents in the eastern floodplains, residents in the Ngoma area were able to move northwards to dry land.Although it has not yet been necessary to evacuate residents from this area, Government officials have already made plans to assist those who could be under threat if the waters spread much more.Apart from the 35 people who have chosen to stay to guard their property, the eastern floodplains from Ivilivinzi to Nankuntwe and villages all along the border south to Kasika, are now deserted.Helicopters combed the area yesterday to be certain that they had airlifted all those in danger to safety.Although exact figures are still being compiled, it is estimated that just more than 3 000 people are being accommodated at evacuation areas at Lusese, Kabbe, Schuckmansburg and Impalila Island.Amagulu said yesterday that the initial figures of those in danger had been slightly over-estimated.Government earlier calculated that of the 10 000 people who would be affected by the floods, 5 000 were directly threatened.Villagers at Malindi have decided to stay on at their homes but said they would be able to move themselves further north should the situation worsen.Small pockets of land near Katima Mulilo are also still occupied, but officials have said that residents there would also be able to move out of harm’s way if necessary.Amagulu said with the assurance that all residents in the eastern floodplains were safe, it was time to turn their attention to the Ngoma area.The Zambezi is expected to swell by at least 30 centimetres in the next 10 days.Yesterday agricultural extension officers were flown over the area to determine the estimated number of animals which will inevitably be lost to the floods.In the Muzii area alone, about 5 000 head of cattle are trapped.Head of delegation from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ndeutapo Amagulu, told The Namibian after returning from the flight over the affected area yesterday that it was horrific sight to see that only the spines of the animals were visible.He described the situation as “really pathetic” but said there was nothing that could be done to rescue the cattle.”They are too far [in the water].It’s too risky [for people] to get them out,” he said.Animals stranded in the rising waters are reported to be grazing from grass taller than themselves and are having to raise their heads above the water to feed.”It is a pity [that they are going to die], but the people are to blame.They were warned long ago to move them, but they thought the floods wouldn’t come because they came last year,” said Amagulu.With the second wave of floods having reached Katima Mulilo 48 hours ago, the Zambezi is on course to reach the seven-metre mark for a second time this month.Yesterday it measured 6,64 m at Katima Mulilo, having shown steady increases of about two centimetres since the weekend.The department of hydrology expects the river to peak by the end of next week.On April 4, the river, as measured at the town, topped 7,05 metres after not exceeding the seven-metre mark since 1979.Deputy Director of Hydrology in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Guido van Langenhove, told The Namibian yesterday that once the river peaked, it could be another month before the waters started to subside substantially in the eastern floodplains.By the second half of May the water is expected to drop by at least five centimetres a day.While the hydrology department has not received information about the pattern of the river from Lukulu, Zambia, in recent days, it has learnt that no more rain is expected in this area soon.Van Langenhove said it was now critical to monitor the course of the waters as they moved westwards towards Lake Liambezi.The Ngoma area, he said, could flood for at least another month as the lake filled up, damaging mostly crop fields in its wake.Unlike residents in the eastern floodplains, residents in the Ngoma area were able to move northwards to dry land.Although it has not yet been necessary to evacuate residents from this area, Government officials have already made plans to assist those who could be under threat if the waters spread much more.Apart from the 35 people who have chosen to stay to guard their property, the eastern floodplains from Ivilivinzi to Nankuntwe and villages all along the border south to Kasika, are now deserted.Helicopters combed the area yesterday to be certain that they had airlifted all those in danger to safety.Although exact figures are still being compiled, it is estimated that just more than 3 000 people are being accommodated at evacuation areas at Lusese, Kabbe, Schuckmansburg and Impalila Island.Amagulu said yesterday that the initial figures of those in danger had been slightly over-estimated.Government earlier calculated that of the 10 000 people who would be affected by the floods, 5 000 were directly threatened.Villagers at Malindi have decided to stay on at their homes but said they would be able to move themselves further north should the situation worsen.Small pockets of land near Katima Mulilo are also still occupied, but officials have said that residents there would also be able to move out of harm’s way if necessary.Amagulu said with the assurance that all residents in the eastern floodplains were safe, it was time to turn their attention to the Ngoma area.