17 Apr 2016

The Okavango River water level has reached the peak as the water has begun flooding in the village of Kauxwi, posing danger to residents.

Speaking during a disaster committee meeting, assistant district commissioner, Mr Thabang Dikatlholo said reports from the Department of Water Affairs showed that by the beginning of April the water level had risen rapidly and warned of the possibility of floods in Okavango villages.

It is anticipated that as soon as the bank level is reached some areas will start experiencing inundation. He said as from April the 11th, the water level recorded at Mohembo was 3.255 metres slightly 10 cm below bank full level.

Mr Dikatlholo said once flooding conditions occur, some flood prone villages would be affected

Flood vulnerable areas include villages on the northern fringe, western and central side of the Okavango Delta.

He also said it was anticipated that the flood wave would continue downstream of the delta into outflow rivers such as Boro, Thamalakane, Shashe Kunyere and Boteti.

Mr Dikatlholo pointed out that the water levels of the Kavango River at Rundu in Namibia started receding as from April.

However, he said even though the flood levels at Rundu were dropping, the water level situation was still relatively high as compared to the previous year.

He said the flood levels at Rundu gives a reliable indicator of possible floods  at Mohembo.

To caution the public about the situation the disaster team led by Mr Dikatlholo left on Thursday to address kgotla meetings so that the public was made aware of the possible floods.

Mr Dikatlholo said they were assessing the situation and would be visiting prone areas like Shakawe, Mohembo and others and cautioned Okavango residents to be alert. ENDS