Homesteads at Sikondo submerged in rainwater
The heavy rains received in the region on a daily basis are now threatening the livelihood and properties of the villagers, who live along the Namibia-Angola border.
NAMPA
RUNDU
Close to 80% of the 100 homesteads at Sikondo village in the Kavango West Region are underwater due to heavy rains received in the area.
Kapako constituency councillor, Johannes Karondo, confirmed this in an interview with Nampa on Sunday, saying the heavy rains received in the region on a daily basis are now threatening the livelihood and properties of the villagers, who live along the Namibia-Angola border.
“I went to assess the situation on Friday and it does not look good at all. Currently, the situation warrants for people to be relocated to higher grounds because by next week it could be worse,” the councillor said.
The villagers’ homes and mahangu fields are flooded to the extent that some of them have totally abandoned cultivating their fields as the seeds are not germinating due to too much water.
Lack of food
Karondo said the only land where villagers can be relocated temporarily until the water subsides is next to the Sikondo Irrigation Scheme.
He said the biggest challenge the people at Sikondo are faced with is school-going children having to walk through water and a lack of food as many will not harvest mahangu this year.
“After assessing the situation, I compiled a report to be presented to the Kavango West regional council. There is need for the people to be assisted with relief food,” he said.
Meanwhile, Karondo said he also visited the Hakusembe River Lodge situated at Sikondo village as well, which is also submerged.
The road leading to the lodge is flooded and guests are being transported to and from the lodge by boat.
RUNDU
Close to 80% of the 100 homesteads at Sikondo village in the Kavango West Region are underwater due to heavy rains received in the area.
Kapako constituency councillor, Johannes Karondo, confirmed this in an interview with Nampa on Sunday, saying the heavy rains received in the region on a daily basis are now threatening the livelihood and properties of the villagers, who live along the Namibia-Angola border.
“I went to assess the situation on Friday and it does not look good at all. Currently, the situation warrants for people to be relocated to higher grounds because by next week it could be worse,” the councillor said.
The villagers’ homes and mahangu fields are flooded to the extent that some of them have totally abandoned cultivating their fields as the seeds are not germinating due to too much water.
Lack of food
Karondo said the only land where villagers can be relocated temporarily until the water subsides is next to the Sikondo Irrigation Scheme.
He said the biggest challenge the people at Sikondo are faced with is school-going children having to walk through water and a lack of food as many will not harvest mahangu this year.
“After assessing the situation, I compiled a report to be presented to the Kavango West regional council. There is need for the people to be assisted with relief food,” he said.
Meanwhile, Karondo said he also visited the Hakusembe River Lodge situated at Sikondo village as well, which is also submerged.
The road leading to the lodge is flooded and guests are being transported to and from the lodge by boat.
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