Niël Terblanché
The northern regions are grappling with the annual “efundja” floods, which have already claimed two lives and are causing increasing anxiety among local farmers.
Heavy rains across southern Africa, particularly in Angola, have led to a surge of floodwaters flowing southward into Namibia’s Cuvelai River basin, exacerbating the situation.
Over the weekend, the Namibian Police reported two drowning incidents linked to standing water in low-lying areas.
On Thursday morning, the body of 38-year-old Tuli Christoph Christoph was discovered floating in a waterlogged area near Omuthitu-wenghete village in the Outapi Constituency.
He had last been seen alive by his girlfriend on Wednesday evening after leaving a local cucashop around 22h00.
In a separate incident later that day, 39-year-old Eliakim Shaanika from Olutsiidhi village in Ogongo was found in a water pan.
According to the police, he may have drowned while attempting to cross the water-filled area, and no foul play is suspected in either case.
The flooding has also raised alarms among subsistence farmers in the northern regions.
Many had anticipated a harvest this year, but the relentless influx of floodwaters from southern Angola into the Cuvelai Basin’s water pan system has submerged several crop fields.
This development has shifted their optimism to concern, as the viability of their crops is now in jeopardy.
Reports from southern Angola indicate that the Cuvelai River, typically intermittent, is overflowing its banks with a strong flow, heightening the risk of further flooding in Namibia’s border regions.
Leonard Hango, a senior hydrologist in Namibia said that all main water streams in the Ohangwena, Omusati, and Oshana regions are experiencing active flows.
He cautioned residents against complacency, stressing that flooding could occur at any time as torrential rains persist and the efundja waters from Angola continue to swell the already overflowing oshanas.
In light of these developments, the Namibia Meteorological Service has issued warnings of heavy rainfall in the northern regions, with the potential for flash floods.
Residents were advised by the weather service to avoid flooded areas and remain vigilant.
The forecast for Oshakati indicates cloudy and humid conditions with widely separated thunderstorms expected today, and partly to mostly sunny skies on Tuesday.
Communities were urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of possible flooding.
