Downpours wreak havoc

A 30-year-old woman drowned on Wednesday after being washed away with three work colleagues as they crossed a river in Otjiwarongo, while Angolan authorities have warned of floods in the neighbouring country impacting Namibia, as massive downpours begin to wreak havoc.

The City of Windhoek has also warned residents to be extra careful, amid predictions of further flash floods and thunderstorms.

Thirty-year-old Elise Shafooli, who was on her way home from work was washed away on Wednesday afternoon at Otjiwarongo while attempting to cross a heavily flooded river with three other women. According to Otjozondjupa police spokesperson Inspector Maureen Mbeha the incident happened amid heavy downpours.

“The women were coming from work at the Omakara charcoal farm... All four women were washed away by the water, however, three managed to hold onto bushes and were rescued by community members, who called the police,” Mbeha said.

“Efforts to rescue Shafooli failed because we could not find her and due to darkness the search was stopped and resumed yesterday morning. Her body was found in the same riverbed.”

Mbeha warned members of the public to refrain from crossing heavily flowing rivers.



Angola warning

Angolan authorities have informed their Namibian counterparts to be alert for possible flood following heavy rainfall at Ondjiva in southern Angola on Wednesday afternoon that forced many businesses to close their doors. The head of the hydrology unit in the agriculture ministry, Paulina Mufeti, said flood water may be on the way to Namibia due to the overflowing Cuvelai River.

Many areas of northern Namibia have received good rainfall since Sunday and it continued raining throughout the day yesterday, a situation that increases the likeliness of flooding.

Helao Nafidi mayor Eliaser Nghipangelwa confirmed to Namibian Sun yesterday afternoon that people around Oshikango had reported water flowing from Angola into Namibia through the south of the border town.

“Oshikango also received good rainfall on Wednesday evening, causing this water to flow faster,” Nghipangelwa said.

Mufeti said: “Late yesterday afternoon we received information from our Angolan counterparts that it rained heavily in Ondjiva and we must prepare for a possible flood. It also rained in the Oshikango catchment area, but we cannot really say efundja has arrived.

“We understand that some businesses in Ondjiva have been flooded. This is a localised flooding as a result of heavy rainfall, and not the usual flooding that comes as a result of an overflowing Cuvelai River.”

Many townships in Oshakati and Ongwediva are also heavily flooded. According to acting Oshakati CEO Kornelius Kapolo Ehenye, Onawa and illegal settlements are the most affected areas.

Kapolo said no major property damage has been reported so far.

“I was there myself at the affected areas. At Onawa there are about 10 houses built on a low area where there is no water flowing. As a council we will just fill their yards with sand to enable the water to make its way to Oshana. At Ehenye there are stormwater channels, but they are not enough, while at some areas the channels are blocked. The council will use every means to revive them,” said Kapolo.

“The most affected people are those at the illegal settlements, especially Oshoopala. These people occupy land on their own, but when rains come they become council's problem. We are monitoring them, just to make sure they are safe.”

Kapolo said last week the town's disaster management unit met to discuss possible flooding and they are ready for any situation.

In 2014 a dike was constructed around Oshakati to control floodwater and prevent it from flowing into the town's residential and business areas.



City issues storm warning

Meanwhile, the City of Windhoek has cautioned residents and visitors to be extra careful.

The city said flash floods appear with little or no warning, and can reach full peak in only a few minutes.

“Communities particularly at risk are those located in low-lying areas and along riverbeds, and especially those living in informal settlements,” the municipality said in a statement.

The city said for residents living in frequently flooded areas, it may be helpful to stockpile sandbags and have some shovels and other materials ready, should a flash flood or strong winds occur.

“This is a good time to seal your roof as well.”

Another precautionary measure suggested by the city is that residents should never try to walk, swim or drive in fast-flowing water, even if it appears to be shallow.

ILENI NANDJATO AND ELLANIE SMIT