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THE TERRIBLE FLOOD IN OMUSATI REGION BY VICTORIA SHAPATA @COPYRIGHT 2012

MANY homesteads in the Ombalantu traditional area of the Omusati Region are under water and many owners fear that their homes will be washed away if the flood does not recede soon.

According to Outapi Constituency Councillor Shileka Tataati, efundja, or seasonal flood, arrived in the area on Wednesday night. The flood, which originates in southern Angola, has washed away many mahangu fields. The homestead of Senior Headman Petrus Aipanda at Ohamuyala is one of many that have been completely submerged.Aipanda has lost 37 cattle, other belongings, and his whole mahangu field to the floodHe fears that the flood water we could cause his traditional mahangu silos to collapse and ruin his food stockpile."We have vacated the house and are now staying with friends without food.I have lost 37 cattle, some goats, chickens, cats and many household goods.I have ploughed, and the mahangu was growing well, but all has been washed away and destroyed." "I have no hope of ploughing and growing another crop of mahangu this year.I think we will have to rely on food relief if the flood continues," Aipanda said.He said if he did not receive help to move his mahangu stores too higher ground, his family would go hungry this year. The headman said many villagers in his district are facing the same problems. "They too will need to be assisted and supported by the Government.We hope our Regional Council will assist us as soon as possible otherwise we will be in big trouble," he said.According to Aipanda, villages such as Oukwandongo, Olukekete,Osisia, Ohamuyala, Ombandjele, Okanimekwa, Omutoko and many other are affected by the flood and will need assistance. Councillor Josef Kanyenye Aluvuilu of Anamulenge Constituency and Councillor Shileka Tataati of Outapi Constituency told The Namibian newspaper that many schools in the affected area will be closed this morning because children cannot cross the flood waters.The water is also submerging the main tarred road from Outapi to Ruacana which runs through the Oshana sha Nelungo Nelungo Pan west of Outapi.The Police at Outapi have set up a roadblock to warn motorists and pedestrians about crossing the Oshana.People living at an informal settlement near the Outapi District Hospital]] have been relocated to a site called Tobias Hainyeko in Outapi town.The Outapi Town Council has pitched tents for them provided by the Namibian Red Cross society The Red Cross has also donated blankets, toilet facilities and food for the flood victims.Councillor Tataati said a co-ordinated response to the flood would be discussed by the Regional Council, the Outapi Town Council and Omusati education officials at a meeting this morning.The flood, which originates in southern Angola, has washed away many mahangu fields.The homestead of Senior Headman Petrus Aipanda at Ohamuyala is one of many that have been completely submerged.Aipanda has lost 37 cattle, other belongings, and his whole mahangu field to the flood.He fears that the floodwater could cause his traditional mahangu silos to collapse and ruin his food stockpile."We have vacated the house and are now staying with friends without food.I have lost 37 cattle, some goats, chicken cats and many household goods.I have ploughed, and the mahangu was growing well, but all has been washed away and destroyed." "I have no hope of ploughing and growing another crop of mahangu this year.I think we will have to rely on food relief if the flood continues," Aipanda said.He said if he did not receive help to move his mahangu stores to higher ground, his family would go hungry this year.The headman said many villagers in his district are facing the same problems."They too will need to be assisted and supported by the Government.We hope our Regional Council will assist us as soon as possible, otherwise we will be in big trouble," he said.According to Aipanda, villages such as Oukwandongo, Olukekete, Osisia, Ohamuyala, Ombandjele, Okanimekwa,Omutoko and many others are affected by the flood and will need assistance. Councillor Josef Kanyenye Aluvuilu of Anamulenge Constituency and Councillor Shileka Tataati of Outapi Constituency told The Namibian that many schools in the affected area will be closed this morning because children cannot cross the floodwater.The water is also submerging the main tarred road from Outapi toRuacana, which runs through the Oshana sha Nelungo Nelungo Pan west of Outapi.The Police at Outapi have set up a roadblock to warn motorists and pedestrians about crossing the Oshana.People living at an informal settlement near the Outapi District Hospital have been relocated to a site called Tobias Hainyeko in Outapi town.The Outapi Town Council has pitched tents for them provided by the Namibian Red Cross.The Red Cross has also donated blankets, toilet facilities and food for the flood victims.Councillor Tataati said a co-ordinated response to the flood would be discussed by the Regional Council, the Outapi Town.