The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) has been commended for effectively assisting flood-hit communities in northern regions, where rising waters have cut off access to essential services.

The ongoing relief operation, launched last month, supports areas at high risk of waterborne diseases.

Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete visited flood victims at the Ehenye Resettlement Centre in Oshakati, Oshana Region, as part of his assessment of flood conditions in the north, a task assigned by Head of State Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

The Oshikoto Region has experienced significant damage to homes and mahangu fields due to heavy rain and flooding from neighboring Angola.

According to Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi, the constituencies of Oniipa, Olukonda, Omuntele, and Onayena have been particularly hard hit.

Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete is currently in the Omusati Region, assessing the flood situation as delegated by Head of State Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. His mission is to observe the impact of the floods on people and property.

Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete is in the northern regions of Namibia to assess the flood situation that displaced people and trapped some in their houses while some mahangu fields and roads are submerged and damaged.

The Roads Authority (RA) says it will spend N$230 million to restore damaged roads in the four northern regions of Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati and Kunene. 

Residents, including children from Ohangwena Region's Onamhinda village, were relocated to higher grounds after their houses and mahangu fields were submerged by floodwaters from southern Angola.

The Ohangwena Region has so far relocated 235 people from the Oshikango and Engela constituencies. These two constituencies are among the most affected by the floods, along with Ohangwena, Ongenga, and Endola.

Floods have affected multiple communities in the Kunene Region, leaving thousands in need of urgent assistance.

Kunene Governor Vipuakuje Muharuka engaged stakeholders in the region to familiarise himself with the situation on the ground. 

Many makeshift homes near riverbeds were damaged or destroyed this rainy season, which has been marked by flash floods, forcing residents to relocate from flood-prone areas. 

Despite this, some individuals choose to remain in these high-risk zones, living under the constant threat of flooding.