2011 floods the worst ever in Namibia
By Helvy Shaanika
25 March 2011 OSHAKATI – “The 2011 floods situation can probably take us back 1,000 years because no one is able to measure up or compare the effect,” said the Mayor of Oshakati, Ben Kuutumbeni Kathindi. Kathindi was referring to the flood situation, which many have described as the worst of its kind in the country.
Oshana and Ohangwena are the worst affected regions, while Oshakati is the worst affected town. Oshakati resembles a battlefield. Daily, hundreds of people are seen carrying mounds of their belongings, and scenes of trucks and cars transporting people and their belongings in a fashion akin to the movements of civilians fleeing from a war zone, are common sight.
The embankments surrounding some of the locations in Oshakati, which were erected as part of efforts to minimise the effects of floods, have been washed away and this has worsened the situation as water has reached the settlements at high speed. Kathindi said if the rains and flood situation persist, it is highly likely that water will soon spill over to the formal settlements of Oshakati. He said apart from the ongoing evacuation of flood victims, there is little that can be done. … The flooding situation is expected to worsen as more flood waves from Angola and heavy rains are expected in the northern regions. …
