Over a thousand people affected by flooding in Namibia

Rising water levels and flooding in the northern parts of Namibia have affected about 1,500 people, Prime Minister (PM) Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said on Thursday.

Speaking in parliament, the PM said that the water levels in Oshana are increasing from the Cuvelai source and communities in the surrounding areas have been warned to move and relocate to higher ground.

"It is important for communities to cooperate and adhere to warnings while government is working with all stakeholders in finding lasting solution and put flood mitigating measures in place," she said.

About eight villages in the Ongwediva constituency are reported to be surrounded by water while health facilities have also been affected.

"All regional structures have been activated to respond to the flood situation and the government has and will continue to provide assistance in the form of tents, food, ablution facilities, water tanker services and more," she said.

The regions affected include Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Zambezi regions with about 810 people having been relocated to high ground and are currently receiving assistance from the government.

In areas where health facilities and roads have been damaged, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says that helicopters are going around providing health services.

Meanwhile, 27,000 pupils from 102 schools in the same regions have also been affected by the floods and schools had to close down.

The floods have been termed the worst in the region in living memory. The rains that cause these floods fall in Angola, then flow into Namibia's Cuvelai basin and end up filling the flood plains there. Endit