Floods: Oshakati residents struggle to enter own homes
Town council blames home owners for filling yards with sand
Residents want a lasting solution to the annual flooding that disrupts their lives nearly every year during this time.
Heavy rains over the past weeks have left many northern townships flooded, particularly those constructed in floodplains. The resulting water accumulation has turned erven into pools, making it difficult for homeowners in Oshakati’s Ehenye and Ekuku townships to access their homes.
Frustrated residents have voiced their concerns, calling on the local authority to find a lasting solution to the annual flooding that disrupts their lives during the rainy season.
The Oshakati town council has attributed the problem to some homeowners filling their yards with sand, which directs water into neighboring properties where the same measures have not been taken. Additionally, the council has criticized contractors for failing to construct houses with adequately elevated foundations, exacerbating the flooding issue.
Residents report that pools of water form in their erven, and in severe cases, the water enters their homes due to low foundations. While some homeowners have spent money on gravel to elevate their yards, others, who cannot afford such measures, are left to endure the consequences until the rains subside.
“Our houses are flooded every rainy season. We were desperate to own homes, but now we face this challenge. Other towns have proper stormwater systems, but here we are left to suffer,” said an Ehenye resident who requested anonymity.
Oshakati Mayor Leonard Hango acknowledged the council’s ongoing efforts to construct more stormwater channels in affected areas. However, he pointed out that the practice of some residents filling their erven unevenly contributes to the problem, as water flows into lower-lying properties.
“The solution lies with the residents themselves. The way they fill their erven often causes flooding in neighboring properties. We need to educate residents on how to address this issue effectively,” Hango said.
He also noted that some developers failed to meet the required elevation levels for house foundations, leaving properties vulnerable to flooding. “When water enters a house, it means the foundation is too low. Developers were supposed to comply with these standards, but in some cases, they did not,” he added.
Meanwhile, a video showing flooding in Ondangwa’s Extension 24 area has circulated on social media. Ondangwa CEO Ismael Namugongo explained that the flooding was caused by heavy rain that temporarily overwhelmed the culverts.
“Once the rain stopped, the water was directed through our stormwater channels. However, the volume of water was too much for the culverts to handle at once,” Namugongo said, adding that the council has a master plan for stormwater management, ensuring all projects comply with drainage standards.
Frustrated residents have voiced their concerns, calling on the local authority to find a lasting solution to the annual flooding that disrupts their lives during the rainy season.
The Oshakati town council has attributed the problem to some homeowners filling their yards with sand, which directs water into neighboring properties where the same measures have not been taken. Additionally, the council has criticized contractors for failing to construct houses with adequately elevated foundations, exacerbating the flooding issue.
Residents report that pools of water form in their erven, and in severe cases, the water enters their homes due to low foundations. While some homeowners have spent money on gravel to elevate their yards, others, who cannot afford such measures, are left to endure the consequences until the rains subside.
“Our houses are flooded every rainy season. We were desperate to own homes, but now we face this challenge. Other towns have proper stormwater systems, but here we are left to suffer,” said an Ehenye resident who requested anonymity.
Oshakati Mayor Leonard Hango acknowledged the council’s ongoing efforts to construct more stormwater channels in affected areas. However, he pointed out that the practice of some residents filling their erven unevenly contributes to the problem, as water flows into lower-lying properties.
“The solution lies with the residents themselves. The way they fill their erven often causes flooding in neighboring properties. We need to educate residents on how to address this issue effectively,” Hango said.
He also noted that some developers failed to meet the required elevation levels for house foundations, leaving properties vulnerable to flooding. “When water enters a house, it means the foundation is too low. Developers were supposed to comply with these standards, but in some cases, they did not,” he added.
Meanwhile, a video showing flooding in Ondangwa’s Extension 24 area has circulated on social media. Ondangwa CEO Ismael Namugongo explained that the flooding was caused by heavy rain that temporarily overwhelmed the culverts.
“Once the rain stopped, the water was directed through our stormwater channels. However, the volume of water was too much for the culverts to handle at once,” Namugongo said, adding that the council has a master plan for stormwater management, ensuring all projects comply with drainage standards.
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