A shortage of water in the Oshikoto Region has unleashed devastating effects on humans, livestock, and projects.

Some residents are forced to travel long distances to buy water, both for their own consumption and for livestock.

Some villagers, such as Shikongo Mingeli from Omutsegwonime, still have no access to potable water.

The 85-year-old travels 40 kilometres to and from Omuthiya to buy water for consumption for his family and their livestock.

It is a costly exercise.

"We don't know what led to the closure of the water point, and we are unhappy about it. We have to buy water, but this is unacceptable. We were told the government would ferry water to us, but we have not received anything to date. This problem should be resolved as a matter of urgency."

Gardening projects have also been severely affected.

One of them is that of Junior Kamati, which has stalled, and most of his plants have died.

However, to their surprise, on Tuesday morning, they woke up to running water after almost two months without it.

"I am happy that the water is running, but it's a little too late as my plants have now died. I was unable to water them for almost two months, as the little water that we bought had to be shared amongst us and our livestock."

The Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Elijah Ngurare, says they have mobilised a total of ten water tanks to ferry water to the severely affected villages.

However, there are only two trucks that are currently on the ground, prioritising Okankolo, Nehale Lyampingana, and Eengodi constituencies.

He added that they have drilled boreholes at Akazulu, Otatashe, Oshikondailwa, Olundje, Ohailongo, and Onelago, which will be installed soon.

Additionally, the ministry plans to install a pipeline from Omutsegwonime to King Kauluma, and it will have offtakes to most of the villages along it.