Farmers in the Oshana Region are worried about food insecurity because some areas of the region are still flooded and crops have been submerged by water.

The opposite is that crops in some fields have begun to wilt due to insufficient rain.

It is a bitter blow for farmers at Onaushe village in Uuvudhiya Constituency.

This is the second year in a row that they have not received sufficient rainfall.

Some farmers at Onaushe are yet to see their crops germinate because they planted too late.

However, those who planted early say their crops are at the point of wilting.

The acting headman of Onaushe village, Bilha Kambidhi, says the village has not received a single drop of rain this month.

In addition to the crops, Kambidhi says there is also no water in the Oshanas for their livestock to drink from.

"We last received rain in January. This month, we have not received a single drop of rain. If the situation persists, we will have nothing to harvest as our crops are dying. Our livestock is also suffering because there is no water in sight, and even the feed is dying. Those who have potable water are giving their livestock tap water, but the exercise is costly."

Tuyambeka Michael, a resident of Omusati gwa Niita in the same constituency, says she does not know how they will survive if the rain does not come to save the remaining crops.

Michael says that although they have some mahangu surplus from the previous years, they may still face hunger if the gates of heaven do not open.

"This is really a difficult situation. Our crops were really growing well, but then the rain stopped, and now our crops are dying from the scorching heat."

The Chairperson of Oshana Regional Council and Ongwediva Constituency Councillor Andreas Uutoni, in a telephone interview, says the situation in the region is worrisome.

In addition to the dying crops, some constituencies were severely hit by floods, leading to the loss of crops, damaged roads, and the displacement of close to 300 people.

Uutoni says the regional council will continue to monitor the situation, and it will liaise with the Office of the Prime Minister to look into how to provide food to the affected communities.