Patience Makwele
Residents living in floodplain areas of the Zambezi region say they are worried as the Zambezi river continues to rise and floodwaters begin spreading into villages, fields and roads.
Hydrological readings show the river at Katima Mulilo has reached about 6.7 metres. This is a sharp increase from just over two metres recorded during the same period last year.
Floodwaters have begun spreading across parts of the eastern floodplains. Villages affected include Luhonono, Malindi, Namiyundu, Nsundwa, Nakuntwe and Muzii.
On Monday residents say water has started entering homes and fields.
“The water is rising very fast and we don’t know how long we will still be able to stay in our villages,” said Josephine Matengu, a resident of Luhonono.
“First the fields flood, then the paths disappear and eventually people get cut off. Our children might not even be able to go to school by next week.”
Flooding has also begun affecting schools. Videos shared on social media show Muzii Combined School surrounded by water.
Residents say flooding around the school has made it difficult for some learners to reach classes. Earlier in February, some learners were seen using canoes to cross rivers to attend school.
Teachers say attendance has already started dropping.
“One of our biggest concerns is that learners from nearby villages are struggling to reach the school safely,” said a teacher at Muzii Combined School who spoke on conditions of anonymity.
“Attendance has already started dropping because some areas are becoming difficult to access.”
Another teacher said the situation could worsen if the water continues rising.
“If the water continues rising at this pace, we might reach a point where classes cannot continue normally because many learners simply won’t be able to get here,” the teacher said.
Other residents say flooding has worsened in recent weeks.
“The situation is worse now than it was before. The water is moving faster, and it has already damaged some homes, crops and roads,” said Gilbert Munikonzo.
Farmers say crops close to harvest are now under threat.
In the Sibbinda area, one farmer said part of his maize field has already been submerged.
“We planted, hoping for a good harvest, but now the water is entering the fields. If it keeps rising like this, we could lose everything,” he said.
He said the losses farmers face are greater than the relief assistance they receive.
“The government is trying to help, but what we are receiving is very little compared to what we are losing. Half of my field is already under water and the harvest that is rotting there was meant to feed my family. Ten kilograms of maize meal and a bottle of cooking oil cannot replace that,” he said.
Another farmer from Kabbe South said some farmers have started harvesting crops earlier than planned.
“People are trying to save what is left because if the water keeps rising the whole field will be destroyed,” he said.
Regional leaders say residents in low-lying areas should relocate early.
Kabbe North constituency councillor Bernard Sisamu urged people to move before roads become flooded.
However, some residents say relocation is difficult.
“Our families, livestock and homes are here. Moving is difficult because there is no permanent land allocated for us. It would mean buying new land, and that is very expensive,” said Ivan Sisamu.
Floodwaters have also affected infrastructure. Parts of the Sifuha–Bukalo road are already covered by water, raising concerns that some communities could soon become isolated.
Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula said the region has begun receiving supplies from the office of the prime minister.
“We are receiving items including about 100 blankets and 100 mattresses,” Kabula said during a handover ceremony.
“We have also received around 50 tents and 220 bottles of water. The river is quite high and it is threatening.”
Kabula thanked government and humanitarian partners for responding to the situation.
Zambezi Regional Council director for planning and rural development Beaven Walubita said the region is experiencing both seasonal flooding and flash floods caused by heavy rainfall.
He said the situation is affecting the Kabbe North and Kabbe South constituencies, where floodwaters have disrupted access to services such as water and sanitation.
Walubita said officials recently visited Muzii and Nakuntwe Combined Schools and spoke with communities about relocating to safer areas.
Relief distribution has started at some relocation sites.
Residents in the Sibbinda constituency say more support is still needed.
Some relocation sites report shortages of tents and mattresses. Others say families are struggling to access clean water.
Residents say some people have returned to flooded villages to collect water.
Community members have asked authorities to install water tanks at relocation sites to assist families and schoolchildren.
They also called on the Ministry of Health and Social Services Namibia to provide mosquito nets to reduce the risk of malaria among children staying in temporary camps.
The government said relief supplies delivered so far include more than 100 blankets and mattresses, 50 tents, more than 9 000 bags of 40-kilogram rice, 2 663 bottles of cooking oil, 4 104 tins of pilchards, 83 household kit crates and 220 bottles of water.
