More heartache for Otweya residents
25 January 2021 | Local News
OTIS DANIELS
WALVIS BAY
While many in the country are rejoicing about the recent rains, the Otweya “tent town” residents have been plunged into more misery.
An unexpected shower caught many off guard in Walvis Bay, especially the fire victims of Twaloloka who now live in tents in Otweya.
The harbour town does not have a water drainage system and whenever it rains, pools of water form everywhere.
What started as a drizzle at 23:30 quickly turned into a downpour that lasted an estimated two hours.
Tents flooded
The tent town residents had to rush in order to prevent water from entering their tents.
“It happened very fast. The next moment the tent I am living in was under water,” recounted Gertrude Mohewa.
She had to dismantle her tent the next morning and moved it to another site.
Otweya residents committee member Jolokweni Johannes said they are waiting for the office of the prime minister for help.
“They must intervene and assist us in our time of hardship. For the time being we are praying that it won’t rain again.”
The next day the municipality dropped loads of dune sand between the tents to absorb the rainwater.
Residents, young and old alike, were observed carrying buckets of sand to their tents to serve as a barrier against more rain.
Sandbags
A family living in a house in Duin Street in Narraville had to rush for sandbags when the downpour started.
“Within three minutes the yard was submerged in water and we realised that if we didn’t act, the rising water would enter the house. Luckily our neighbour assisted with sandbags and members of the Narraville neighbourhood watch helped to fill it up,” recounted one of the residents.
The sandbags were hurriedly placed at the front and back doors of the house but could not prevent some rainwater from entering.
The personnel and the pump truck of the municipality were on site to remove the water from the yard.
WALVIS BAY
While many in the country are rejoicing about the recent rains, the Otweya “tent town” residents have been plunged into more misery.
An unexpected shower caught many off guard in Walvis Bay, especially the fire victims of Twaloloka who now live in tents in Otweya.
The harbour town does not have a water drainage system and whenever it rains, pools of water form everywhere.
What started as a drizzle at 23:30 quickly turned into a downpour that lasted an estimated two hours.
Tents flooded
The tent town residents had to rush in order to prevent water from entering their tents.
“It happened very fast. The next moment the tent I am living in was under water,” recounted Gertrude Mohewa.
She had to dismantle her tent the next morning and moved it to another site.
Otweya residents committee member Jolokweni Johannes said they are waiting for the office of the prime minister for help.
“They must intervene and assist us in our time of hardship. For the time being we are praying that it won’t rain again.”
The next day the municipality dropped loads of dune sand between the tents to absorb the rainwater.
Residents, young and old alike, were observed carrying buckets of sand to their tents to serve as a barrier against more rain.
Sandbags
A family living in a house in Duin Street in Narraville had to rush for sandbags when the downpour started.
“Within three minutes the yard was submerged in water and we realised that if we didn’t act, the rising water would enter the house. Luckily our neighbour assisted with sandbags and members of the Narraville neighbourhood watch helped to fill it up,” recounted one of the residents.
The sandbags were hurriedly placed at the front and back doors of the house but could not prevent some rainwater from entering.
The personnel and the pump truck of the municipality were on site to remove the water from the yard.
Classifieds