Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi has issued an urgent warning about rapidly rising water levels along the Orange River, cautioning that a key road near the floodplain may be closed imminently due to safety concerns.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Nekundi confirmed that the situation is “developing very, very fast”, with floodwaters currently just 150 millimetres away from spilling onto the road surface near the affected area.

“The water level is not even at a metre , just 150 millimetres from the road; the road might be closing at any moment,” he said.

According to the minister, a contractor has been dispatched to the site, and a temporary dam has been created in an attempt to prevent water from breaching the road. However, he noted that the strength of the water flow remains a major concern.

Should the road become impassable, the minister said that motorists will be redirected through South Africa, which would require passports or other necessary travel documents.

An alternative route via Lüderitz is also under consideration, though the minister described it as a “delicate” option due to its condition and limited accessibility.

The situation is further complicated by heavy rainfall in the area, with dams expected to be opened to release excess water, exacerbating the already critical flood risk.

Minister Nekundi urged all road users to exercise extreme caution when travelling in the region in the coming days.