Zambezi issues flood warnings

Flood warnings have been issued for the Kabbe South and Kabbe North constituencies in the Zambezi Region.

The governor of the Zambezi Region, Lawrence Sampofu, said the seasonal floods seemed to have started much earlier this year, as the river currently stood at 1.5 metres compared to 0.97 metres this time last year.

He said that a disaster risk management meeting was held yesterday. He urged people to start relocating to higher ground. Schools will be relocated to prevent disruption.

The governor will travel to Zambia next week for discussions about relocation routes during floods.

He said the regional government had about 232 tents available and some of them have been dispatched to schools.

At Katima Mulilo heavy rain fell for several days last week, flooding houses and streets.





Sampofu told Namibian Sun that flash floods in Katima Mulilo lasted until Saturday, destroying about 50 homes in the settlements surrounding the town.



He said one man was sleeping in his mud hut when the wall collapsed and fell on him, breaking his leg.



He added that fields were under water in the Katima Mulilo area.



According to him, the rain has subsided since Saturday. No schools have had to be closed.



“This is however the early stages,” he said.



The rainy conditions that have been experienced in some parts of the country over the past few days will start to clear up as a high-pressure system moves in.



While heavy rain was predicted in the north-central, north-eastern and eastern regions until yesterday, weather forecaster Richard Nashikaku says dry air will move in over Ondangwa and east to Rundu today, with only a few showers expected.



Nashikaku of the Windhoek weather bureau says dry air is expected in the south today and the interior can expect isolated showers.



Today dry conditions are expected in the northwest and the south while the Omaheke, Khomas, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi regions can expect isolated showers.



On Friday the conditions should stay the same, but isolated showers are expected in the northeast. The interior will be partly cloudy.



On Saturday the Omaheke Region can expect isolated showers and on Sunday the eastern half of the interior can expect isolated showers.



Nashikaku says temperatures will rise as the cloud cover dissipates. The Karas Region can expect cooler weather in the wake of a weak cold front that has already passed.



Another cold front will pass through tomorrow and maximum temperatures should drop by about five degrees.



On Tuesday Namibians across the country posted rain photos on Facebook.



At Westdene in Keetmanshoop 28mm was reported and at Bergheim 10km south of Windhoek 25mm was reported.



At Regenstein near Windhoek 50mm was reported and east of Helmeringhausen the arm Sterreprag received 29.2mm.



At the Fish River Canyon Roadhouse 35.6mm was measured, at Otavi 20mm and at Otjiwarongo 15mm.



Reports of rain were also received from Windhoek and Okahandja.