Maria David
RECENT heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc on the town of Opuwo, leaving a trail of damaged infrastructure and displacing hundreds of residents.
Opuwo Deputy Mayor Kasipo Kakondo said the rain has affected a number of infrastructures in town, ranging from roads, culverts, network poles, and buildings, effectively cutting off access to essential services and disrupting daily life.
Kakondo indicated that the flooding has rendered key access routes impassable, obstructing access to major shopping centres like OK Grocer, Eyambeko area, and Champ Complex.
Consequently, he said businesses along affected streets were forced to close, with some relocating to temporary spaces.
“Learners from Okondaunue and Otuzemba Schools were unable to attend classes for several days due to the inaccessibility of the schools,” he said.
He added that about 129 households were affected by the flood, with over 68 houses sustaining severe damage, resulting in the loss of all belongings.
Tragically, nine structures were completely washed away.
Meanwhile, Kakondo indicated that a total of 316 residents from the Orutjandja area have been impacted by the catastrophic flooding.
In terms of emergency response and relief, he said the Namibian Police Force assisted in relocating the 68 most severely affected victims to the Opuwo Open Market, providing them with temporary shelter.
Moreover, he said the Office of the Governor has played a pivotal role in coordinating relief efforts, while the Ministry of Health has been mobilised to provide crucial psychosocial support to the traumatised victims and distributed mosquito nets to mitigate the risk of malaria.
Further, the Governor’s office has collaborated with the Office of the Prime Minister’s Disaster Risk Management team to mobilise essential support.
Kakondo stated that a substantial consignment of aid has been received, including 68 mattresses, 68 blankets, 204 bags of maize (20kg each), 204 containers of cooking oil, and 816 cans of fish.
“In addition, the Office of the Prime Minister has allocated funds for the construction of a fence at the relocation site, ensuring the safety and security of the displaced residents,” he added.
He stressed that Council has initiated a comprehensive plan to mitigate future flooding risks. This includes surveying and servicing 400 plots of land, with the aim of relocating all residents of the Orutjandja South area to higher ground.
As a priority, he noted that the 68 most severely affected families will receive plots to facilitate the rebuilding of their homes. This proactive measure aims to prevent future displacement and ensure the long-term safety and well-being of the community.
