The southeastern parts of Angola and the northeastern parts of Namibia in the Cuvelai catchment were affected by heavy rains during the second week of January 2023, leading to flooding conditions in Ondjiva and surrounding areas. The floods have resulted in various impacts including displacement of people, damage to homes, schools, and infrastructure.

Floodwaters Observation:

Floodwaters were first observed in some of the eastern flowing Cuvelai Iishanas (river plains) on the morning of Friday, the 13th of January 2023, and during the early hours of the 17th of January, the hydrological recording station at Shanalumono located approximately 10km southwest of Oshikango reported floodwaters reaching the central Cuvelai Iishanas (river plain). Shanalumono is one of the main Iishanas (river plains) of the central Cuvelai River System on the Namibian side. According to the Namibia Hydrological Services, the water levels in the main Iishanas (river plains) south of the Angola/Namibia border are rising. As of the 27th of January 2023, water levels at Engela station exceeded the 1m mark.

Impacts:

The floods have affected a total of 2190 people with 582 people (111 households) whose houses were completely submerged in water and 1608 people (327 households) whose houses were partially submerged. Of the total 2190 affected people, 300 people are from the Oshana region, and 1890 people are from the Ohangwena region. The total of 582 people (111 households) whose houses were completely submerged have been displaced and evacuated to 9 relocation sites (7 camps in the Ohangwena region and 2 camps in the Oshana region).

Schools and Clinics:

The floods have resulted in damage to 35 schools in the Ohangwena region, with school equipment and infrastructure being damaged. Out of the 35 schools, 18 are currently closed. At several schools, learners have started camping at the school as they are not able to return to their homes on a daily basis due to the rising water. In the Ohangwena region, three clinics have been cut off, and communities do not have access to them.

Conclusion:

The joint assessments by the NRCS and the different government departments in the Ohangwena and Oshana regions commenced on the 14th of January 2023. The floods have resulted in various impacts including displacement of people, damage to homes, schools, and infrastructure. The floods continue to increase as more rain persists in the Cuvelai catchment.