Close to 300 Ohangwena learners stay home due to floods

Ohangwena regional director of education Isak Hamatwi has confirmed that, so far, only one school in the region has suspended lessons due to heavy rains and flooding.Due to safety concerns, Shingunguma Combined School has put lessons on hold for around 287 of the school's 376 learners, ranging from pre-primary to grade seven classes, to ensure their safety. Hamatwi told Namibian Sun that they are still receiving updates from other schools regarding the water situation in the region.Leonard Hango, a senior hydrologist at the agriculture, water and land reform ministry said much of the water in the iishana consists of rainwater, but floodwater from Angola has also reached the western parts of the Cuvelai system – specifically areas in the Omusati Region such as Odimbwa, Okalongo and Outapi. He said the floodwater’s south-ward flow has already reached Lake Oponona.Hango said they are also monitoring the situation in the eastern parts of the Cuvelai system and will keep the nation informed accordingly. "In the meantime, everyone in flood-prone areas must be on alert," he said.Be vigilant Oshana regional governor Elia Irimari said damage has occurred to some roads in the region, and the Roads Authority's maintenance department is working diligently to address these issues.This includes the gravel road DR3643 between Onamutuku and Onkani, as well as the Okapya-Ohalushu gravel road.Irimari said apart from the roads and houses destroyed in the Ongwediva constituency, no reports of people being affected by thunderstorms and flooding have reached his office from anywhere else in the region.He cautioned parents and the community at large not to leave their children unattended and to warn them against playing in flood-prone areas.“Parents should escort children to and from school to assist them in crossing the water and encourage them to travel in groups,” he said.

Close to 300 Ohangwena learners stay home due to floods

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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Close to 300 Ohangwena learners stay home due to floods

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-12

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