A joint team led by the Ohangwena regional Governor Walde Ndevashia is in Engela Constituency to assess the situation of the flooding water (efundja) that crossed to Namibia on Friday from Southern Angola.

The team comprise the Governor, Engela Constituency Councillor Elkana Hainghumbi, members of the Namibian Police Force and high-ranking officials from the Ministries of Education, Arts and Culture as well as Health and Social Services.

Speaking to Nampa on Saturday, Hainghumbi explained that the water is moving fast and it is currently passing the Onghala combined school on the way to cross the Engela-Okalongo road.

He, therefore, cautioned the public to refrain from walking in the water as it may contain dangerous species, such as snakes, and crocodiles, among others.

He also advised the people against crossing the oshanas during the night, specifically those who are coming from cuca shops, while calling on learners not to walk through the flooded areas, as it may be difficult to tell how deep the water is.

“So far no damage to roads or houses is experienced and the assessment continues throughout the weekend,” he said.

Although the flood in northern parts of the country brings about a lot of benefits, which include providing relishes such as fish and frogs and providing water for animals, it disrupts classes and displaces people from their homes and causes water-borne diseases such as cholera.

According to Angola’s State television station, the TPA, the central areas of the southern Cunene Province of Angola are flooded following recent heavy downpours. It reported that the huge mass of water that is currently flowing in the Oshanas in the Cuvelai basin towards Namibia, was last experienced more than a decade ago when Angolan and Namibian towns and rural villages were flooded and thousands of people had to be evacuated to temporary shelters.

The Engela Constituency is sharing boundaries with Kunene Province in Southern Angola on the North-West

Source: The Namibian Press Agency