Staff Reporter
FLOODWATERS from the overflowing Zambezi and Chobe rivers have inundated large parts of the Zambezi Region, leaving villages, schools and farmland submerged and forcing the relocation of thousands of residents.
The region has experienced heavy rainfall this year, far exceeding previous seasons, causing both rivers to burst their banks over the past three weeks. Communities living along the riverbanks have been hardest hit, raising concerns over livelihoods, food security and safety.
Video: The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs
Aerial assessments conducted by the Namibian Air Force (NAF) revealed the full extent of the damage, with many villages and schools completely surrounded by water. The most severely affected areas include Kabbe South, Sibbinda and Katima Rural constituencies, where several schools have been forced to close.
Water levels in the Zambezi River have risen above five metres, prompting the relocation of more than 2,000 residents to nine temporary camps.
The aerial mission was conducted at the request of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, with support from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs. The operation assisted Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa, alongside officials from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and the Zambezi Regional Council, in assessing the situation on the ground.
In addition to the flooding, the region is battling a locust outbreak, with crops already being destroyed in some areas. Muyako, about 60 kilometres south-east of Katima Mulilo, is among the hardest hit, further diminishing farmers’ chances of salvaging their harvests.
The Zambezi Region is prone to recurring natural disasters, particularly floods and droughts, depending on rainfall patterns. Over the years, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has consistently deployed the Namibian Defence Force to support disaster response and relief efforts.
