No flooding fears at Mariental

The chairperson of the Hardap Regional Council, Jeremia van Neel, is calling on Mariental residents to remain calm as the chances of flooding occurring in the town this year are very slim. “Though people should be prepared in case it occurs, there is no reason to fear floods this year,” Van Neel said yesterday. He said there is nothing to fear as the current water level of the Hardap Dam is very low, and the Fish River near the town has also been excavated and cleared. The clearing and deepening of the riverbed will allow water to flow unhindered in the river, thereby avoiding flooding at the town. The Hardap Dam’s water level now stands at 28,5% compared to 58,4% in November 2012. Work on the 1 km Fish River excavation project, which was aimed at reducing the risk of flooding at Mariental, started in June last year and is nearing completion. Government is funding the excavation project to the tune of N$12 million. Van Neel said the disaster risk management warehouse, where food, blankets and other items will be kept for possible flood victims, will be completed at Mariental in three months. He said more than ever this year the council and municipality stand ready in case floods occur. An estimated 200 people living at informal settlements in Mariental - mostly pensioners, farm labourers and children - were affected by the last floods in 2011. The first flooding at Mariental was experienced at the beginning of February 2006 when the Fish River overflowed after the Hardap Dam’s sluices were opened. Hardap Regional Governor, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, also told Nampa that she also does not expect floods to occur this year. She added that she is, however, also concerned about the low water level in the Hardap Dam this year, which according to her is starting to cause panic at the town as residents fear the water level will drop to such an extent that the town’s supply will be affected. “We are worried that we will not have water for our Green Scheme and our houses,” the governor said. She stated that after the 2006 flood, it was agreed that the dam’s water level be limited at 70% to avoid flooding, but that needs to change since the river has been cleared. “When the rain comes we will suggest that the volume be increased to 85% to sustain us should there be no good rains in 2015. “We can increase the water level with careful monitoring so that we have enough water for the town and gardens,” Hanse-Himarwa said.