Staff Reporter
TWO people narrowly escaped when their car was swept away by the powerful current of the Guruchab River that came down in full force after heavy rain in the South.
The driver and passenger were rescued by a farmer and both are reportedly unharmed.
According to the West Coast Safety Initiative, the incident occurred on Saturday about 40 km from Keetmanshoop on the Aroab gravel road.
Some rivers in the South are reportedly still running after heavy rain fell in places.
On the Facebook page Reënval in Namibië, Jan Kaffer reported from Warmbad “rainwater is flowing since Friday”.
The West Coast Safety Initiative warned that the heavy downpour left huge puddles on the C14 route.
A road user posted: “The gravel road from Aus, Helmeringhausen up to 35 km before Maltahöhe is in good condition but small cars and non 4×4, stay clear. If you happen to find yourself en route, stay on the right side of the road coming from Helmeringhausen with hazards on.”
Earlier on Saturday a TransNamib locomotive and four wagons capsized after derailing as a result of rail tracks that washed away. The accident occurred between Guibes and Schakkalskuppe near Aus.
Rain will reportedly continue to fall in the South and other parts of the country on Sunday.
According to Namibia Weather Network, Maltahöhe will receive 11 mm, Aranos 8 mm, Mariental and Helmeringhausen 6 mm, and Gochas 3 mm.
In the rest of the country, Windhoek is predicted to receive 10 mm, Rehoboth 7 mm, Witvlei 4 mm, Steinhausen 3 mm and Grootfontein also 3 mm.
