Residents in Opuwo have raised concerns over recurring flooding, as multiple river channels converge into one stream, causing overflows that threaten homes, roads and livelihoods.

Both natural water flow and human activity are worsening the situation.

What appears to be a single river cutting through Opuwo is in fact the meeting point of several water channels flowing in from surrounding areas.

“These river channels converge; another flow is from Etati ra Puwo all these channels merge here in Opuwo and give problems to people, as you can see and enter houses,” said a resident, Makatjavi Tjambiru.

During heavy rains, the river bursts its banks, flooding homes and damaging infrastructure.

Human activities have also been cited as a contributing factor to the worsening floods.

“God has created a road for the flow of water, and that road is the river. So, if you throw things into it, the water will overflow and take another direction. This is where the problem is: we should not throw things into the river or block its flow,” said the founder of Magnetise Ozombara Construction, Manfred Katuuo.

Katuuo's company is currently upgrading the road linking Opuwo to other villages and Sesfontein, a critical route for the public and essential services.

But the project has encountered a setback, as the road cuts through the river and is submerged.

“From Monday, we will start again because this is the only road we have to construct. We will build an elevated road, put culverts underneath it and construct a wall to block the water coming from the mountains in Katutura, so that it flows next to the road and not onto the road.”

Opuwo residents noted that while the floods have been less destructive, the risk remains high.

“The first time, the river flowed into the houses, but this time, by the grace of God, and because the water was not that much, it only surrounded the church,” added Kavehepa Tjambiru.

As multiple water channels continue to converge in Opuwo, residents are calling for urgent intervention, warning that without proper planning, drainage and community awareness, the floods will keep returning.