Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has given an update on the flash floods that hit Kalkrand Village.
Dr. Ngurare reported that heavy rainfall throughout Monday night caused significant damage to properties, disrupted daily life and led to the closure of schools.
In response, the Office of the Prime Minister, along with the Hardap Regional Council and other staff, sent a team to Kalkrand to carry out a rapid assessment of the situation.
Dr. Ngurare stated that the Village Council's Disaster Risk Management Committee held a meeting on Tuesday morning to assess the extent of the damage caused by the floods.
"About 722 households are affected by the flash floods; the Five Dollar Location is the most affected, as it is more exposed to the flowing water; the road infrastructure is damaged, with most roads being impassable; electricity cables were exposed; some businesses are closed; pathways are severely affected, limiting accessibility and causing delays in response."
The following actions, Ngurare adds, have been undertaken to mitigate the impacts caused.
"As a precautionary measure, consultations held with relevant stakeholders in the village, including the Ministry of Education, resolved that schools in the village be closed for today. Four classrooms have been made available to provide shelter to the affected households. Communities are being engaged through various platforms, including radio, to take all the necessary precautionary measures. Health services are restored, with additional medications being arranged. The Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare has provided premises for the shelter of vulnerable affected households. As an immediate relief, the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, avails tents to support the village council with the temporary shelter for the affected households and provides food assistance to all affected households for a period of three (3) months."
Affirmative Repositioning MP and leader, Job Amupanda, said he is worried about an update of a particular area, as there has been rain all over the country.
"May we receive a comprehensive update of the impact of the flood at the national level so that we can get a proper picture?"
SWANU MP and leader Evilastus Kaarondo said that the problem of flooding has become worse because people continue to build structures in areas that are likely to flood.
"I think the problem is compounded by people who put up their structures in the most danger-prone areas, and it's difficult to escape the water when it starts flooding."