Floods affect more than 150 crop farmers in Epupa

OKANGUATI, 30 APR  – More than 150 crop farmers in the Epupa Constituency in the Kunene Region have been affected by flooding of the Kunene River.
Chief Control Officer at the Epupa Constituency Office at Okangwati, Tjikunda Kulunga confirmed to Nampa on Sunday that a flood impact assessment was conducted last week and villages such as Otjimuhaka, Ondoozu, Ohangonga, Otjamaungu, Otjimbundu and Enjandi are under water.
Otjimuhaka is reportedly 60 per cent under water.
The floods result from the opening of the dam of the NamPower Ruacana Hydro-electric station to reduce the water pressure due to heavy rains in Angola.
“Farmers lost items such as water tanks and water pumps, while others lost their crops such as tomato, green pepper, sugarcane, banana, papaya, and utensils and other properties,” Kulunga said.
One of the affected crop farmers, Maria Tavares, told Nampa they need assistance because they have lost every source of income.
“I normally sell my products to the local lodges and schools for a living and have now been left with nothing at all,” she said, urging the constituency office to come to their aid.
Another farmer, Sam Tavares, said that he usually earns about N.dollars 8 000 per month from selling his products but now he has nothing.
“My entire livelihood is under water and I am left with nothing to support my family,” he explained.
The farmers are blaming their misfortune on the lack of network for both cellphones and radios for early warnings regarding floods to come through to them.
In the meantime, the Namibia Red Cross Society has donated 100 water containers, 20 bags of rice and 1 000 sachets of water purifying powder to some affected farmers, while urging local businesses and individuals to assist the affected communities.

NAMPA