Residents along the Kunene River and in flood-prone areas of northern Namibia have been urged to evacuate immediately as rising water levels pose a serious threat to lives and property.
Various authorities have issued warnings that heavy rainfall in Angola has led to extreme river flows, which could cause unprecedented flooding downstream of the Ruacana Power Station and in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin.
NamPower’s Ruacana manager, Leonard Shemuvalula, confirmed that on Monday, 31 March, the power utility was to open the second floodgate of the diversion weir at the power station.
“This will increase the river flow to over 1 600 cubic meters per second, levels not seen since 2011. We are advising all residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground immediately as the situation is serious, and people must act before it’s too late,” he urged.
Floodwaters are expected to impact communities downstream, potentially displacing families and damaging homes, crops and infrastructure.
Shemuvalula added that lodges and campsites along the Kunene River have also been urged to take precautionary measures to protect guests and staff from the rapidly-rising waters.
Meanwhile, senior hydrologist in the ministry of agriculture, Leonard Hango, warned that the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin is experiencing a similar surge in water levels due to both local and Angolan rainfall.
“The water that we are seeing across Cuvelai is a result of local rainfall combined with surface flow from Angola, which we classify as floodwater from Angola,” he stated.
Hango cautioned that the western parts of the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions, parts of Omusati and the entire Oshana region are at high risk.
He warned that water levels can rise suddenly and unpredictably, creating hazardous conditions, particularly for those who travel on foot at night.
“We are especially concerned about individuals who frequent cucashops and return home late at night. Deep water can appear suddenly where there was none before, and this increases the risk of drowning,” he said.
Elderly residents, school children and livestock owners are urged to exercise extreme caution.
Hango further warned that with the rainy season still ongoing, the oshanas are already overflowing and are expected to experience further water level increases in the coming weeks.
“We cannot predict exactly how fast or how far the water will spread, but people need to act now before the situation becomes more dangerous,” he stressed.
Residents are urged to follow official warnings and updates as the risk of flooding continues to escalate.