More rainfall is expected in Angola, Zambia and North Eastern parts of Namibia according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR).

According to the ministry’s Namibia Hydrological Services’ daily flood bulletin on Monday, satellite images are forecasting more rainfall and the water levels in the main oshanas on the Namibian side remain high.

This comes after water flowing from bordering areas of southern Angola crossed over to Northern Namibia in the first week of January.

It also indicated that the “Water level recorded in the Endola Constituency of Ohangwena region stood at 1.85 millimetres on Monday morning, meaning the water level at Endola is very high.”

A steady progression in floodwater has been observed in the Endola constituency with an increase on Friday from 0.77 millimetres to the current 1.85 millimetres recorded on Monday.

Shahaingu, Onambango and Okatana bridges recorded a decrease in flood water with 0.69, 0.47 and 0.65 millimetres respectively whereas Shanalumono and Engela have remained unchanged with 0.98 and 1 respectively, since Sunday.

The Ministry’s hydrology division said contingency plans are to be activated in the affected regions.

“Flood hazard contingency plans are to be activated for the Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati Regions. Communities living in flood-prone areas in these regions are advised to be on alert for possible high flood waters and must take the necessary precautionary measures,” the Ministry said.

Flood-prone areas include the Cuvelai basin, Okavango River and banks, Zambezi River banks and Eastern Zambezi floodplains, Lower Kuiseb catchment, Hardap – Mariental, the Lower Orange River and the Kunene River.

The last highest flood in the Cuvelai was experienced in 2011.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency