Good rains spark flooding fears
Authorities in the north are warning people not to settle in low-lying floodplains, which have started filling up after the first rains of the season.
Following good rainfall over the weekend, many oshanas and water catchment areas are full, posing a threat to people settling in these areas in the Oshana Region.
Oshana police spokesperson Inspector Tomas Aiyambo urged people not to settle in these water catchment areas, saying it will be difficult to evacuate them during heavy rainfall.
Some of these settlers are either illegal or have been allocated land by local or traditional authorities.
Aiyambo said the police may require properly equipped vehicles for evacuations.
“People must not risk their lives by settling in water catchment areas. Anything may happen and they will call the police, and we may not be able to assist. Such areas require equipped vehicles or a helicopter. Evacuation by helicopter is very expensive,” Aiyambo said.
“Authorities must advise settlers on where to settle to avoid unnecessary life-threatening situations.”
Ester Panduleni settled at Opoto location in Oshana Region in 2015.
At the time she was looking for a place to call home.
“I have been allocated the land by the headman and I paid N$600. I erected a shack and all was good for the past years, but just after Sunday's rain, my house is already not accessible. I am just praying we will not receive a heavy rainfall that may turn into flood,” Panduleni said.
The Onamutai senior headman Amon Shipanga urged village headmen not to allocate land in oshanas and other water catchment areas.
“All cases of people allocated land in dangerous areas must be reported to junior headmen so that they can be reported to senior headmen. If cases are serious, they will be reported to the traditional authority at Ohangwena for discussion,” Shipanga said.
Many towns in the north spend a lot of money relocating residents after heavy rains, especially from informal areas in flood-prone areas to higher ground.
ILENI NANDJATO
Oshana police spokesperson Inspector Tomas Aiyambo urged people not to settle in these water catchment areas, saying it will be difficult to evacuate them during heavy rainfall.
Some of these settlers are either illegal or have been allocated land by local or traditional authorities.
Aiyambo said the police may require properly equipped vehicles for evacuations.
“People must not risk their lives by settling in water catchment areas. Anything may happen and they will call the police, and we may not be able to assist. Such areas require equipped vehicles or a helicopter. Evacuation by helicopter is very expensive,” Aiyambo said.
“Authorities must advise settlers on where to settle to avoid unnecessary life-threatening situations.”
Ester Panduleni settled at Opoto location in Oshana Region in 2015.
At the time she was looking for a place to call home.
“I have been allocated the land by the headman and I paid N$600. I erected a shack and all was good for the past years, but just after Sunday's rain, my house is already not accessible. I am just praying we will not receive a heavy rainfall that may turn into flood,” Panduleni said.
The Onamutai senior headman Amon Shipanga urged village headmen not to allocate land in oshanas and other water catchment areas.
“All cases of people allocated land in dangerous areas must be reported to junior headmen so that they can be reported to senior headmen. If cases are serious, they will be reported to the traditional authority at Ohangwena for discussion,” Shipanga said.
Many towns in the north spend a lot of money relocating residents after heavy rains, especially from informal areas in flood-prone areas to higher ground.
ILENI NANDJATO
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