Northern subsistence farmers affected by flooding

Recent flooding in the Ohangwena Region has already caused extensive damage to mahangu fields, hampering efforts by subsistence farmers to produce food for their homesteads.

Ruusa Nghinyengwa on Monday had to relocate her goat kraal because the water had entered her mahangu field.

She said she is disappointed because although the area floods annually, it does not usually enter their mahangu field, destroying some of her crops.

Many crop fields in the Engela area are submerged. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the size of land under cultivation.

“Today [Monday] marks the fourth day since floodwater from Angola poured in at Oimbadalunga village and now here at Engela. I am scared. The water is moving fast and by March, I have a feeling we will relocate from our house.

“Within three days, the water level will increase again and it will get worse once it rains,” she said.

Nghinyengwa, who also farms with pigs, said they are also affected and need to be moved to a dry area.

“We do not have space to relocate the pigs to dry land. We will have to ask the neighbours to keep them for now while the water level subsides.”

Warning

The agriculture ministry, through its spokesperson Jona Musheko, said its preparedness is limited to alerting the public on possible flooding, areas where it is happening and its possible magnitude.

He cautioned residents of the flooded areas - including farmers - not to cross flooding areas where it could be risky.

“School-going children should be escorted to schools where possible and use alternative safe routes. Relocate livestock to high land on time, and avoid prolonged excessive exposure of livestock to water or wet conditions as it can cause health hazards to livestock,” he said.

Water moving fast

Senior hydrologist for the Cuvelai-Etosha basin, Leonard Hango, said the flood in the main Cuvelai channel, Shanalumono, is now advancing towards the Endola settlement.

He urged residents to take precautionary measures in the area, especially in the mornings when children go to school.

According to him, the water flow increases at night as the soil becomes cooler and there is less evaporation. As the water keeps trickling in, residents and visitors alike are urged not to panic, as authorities say the situation remains under control.

Meanwhile, the directorate of education, arts and culture in the Ohangwena Region suspended lessons at Onghala Combined School and Shingunguma Primary School on Tuesday as floodwater had been rising in the area.

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