Heavy rains experienced in Rundu last month have caused a gaping hole in the Tutungeni residential area.

Residents are now concerned about the safety risk posed by the hole, but also because a broken sewer pipe is now exposed, and it's now pushing sewer water into the Kavango River.

Heavy rains flooded the town of Rundu about two weeks ago.

One of the popular roads in Tutungeni is also affected, with motorists and pedestrians looking for a shortcut.

Heavy rains have left a huge hole, which has prevented drivers from accessing the road, but not pedestrians.

The area surrounding the hole was initially cordoned off, but the warning tape is being ignored by the locals. 

Two weeks ago, pedestrians could still manoeuvre around the hole, but the increasing traffic has left very little space, turning this shortcut into a huge risk.

Residents now have to hold onto a fence to cross safely. Some say it's a scary experience, but they do it anyway.

Silvia Palata lives at the house directly overlooking the hole, and people cling to her fence when they cross. 

She says it's a mixture of old and young, male and female. 

Some people also cross while intoxicated late at night. Even children play around the hole, and even though she says she tries to stop them, they continue.

Apart from the hole, there is something else in the air—a heavy sewage stench throughout the day.

The hole has exposed a damaged sewerage pipe, and it has been spewing sewerage water into the Kavango River for the past two weeks.

People use the river to bathe, to collect water, and to fish.

Residents are now calling for local authorities to do something about the hole and the sewage water.

The nbc News team contacted the Ministry of Health, Rundu Town Council, and the Regional Council's Disaster Risk Management Committee for an answer, but all attempts were unsuccessful.

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Author
Frances Shaahama