Namibia is stepping up emergency response efforts as severe flooding in the northeastern Zambezi Region continues to displace residents, disrupt schooling and strain access to essential services, the national broadcaster NBC reported on Friday, said Xinhua. According to the broadcaster, water levels in the Zambezi River, which flows through northeastern Namibia and forms part of the border with neighboring countries, have risen to about 6.88 meters, covering large parts of the Kabbe North and Kabbe South constituencies, while critical infrastructure, including schools, clinics and police stations, has been surrounded by floodwaters. However, authorities have not released official casualty figures so far. Several riverine communities, accessed through Luhonono, a key harbor area in Kabbe North, are now reachable only by boat, while schools in flood-prone areas have been temporarily closed. Authorities are preparing to relocate students and teachers to higher ground. Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp, speaking to the national broadcaster, said at least 587 students have been affected, warning that continued disruptions could impact the country's required 196 teaching days. For most of the schools, it is now a matter of relocation. If relocation cannot take place, it means that children do not have access to schools, she said, stressing that safety remains the top priority. Meanwhile, more than 300 residents from surrounding flood-hit villages have relocated to temporary sites near Schuckmannsburg, close to the regional center, where makeshift shelters have been set up. However, displaced residents reported shortages of tents, food supplies, mosquito nets and sanitation facilities, along with limited access to clean water. Local officials said some communities have been reluctant to relocate due to concerns over food shortages in camps, fear of losing property and challenges integrating into host areas, although authorities continue to urge movement to safer ground. Flooding has also disrupted access to healthcare services in remote areas, prompting authorities to deploy boats to transport patients and deliver medical supplies to isolated clinics. Mobile outreach services have been rolled out alongside the distribution of water purification tablets and mosquito nets to mitigate health risks, while the government, with support from the Namibia Red Cross Society, is coordinating humanitarian assistance, including the provision of blankets and household items to affected communities. Authorities said additional measures, including the possible deployment of a ferry to assist with transportation and increased emergency funding, are under consideration as the situation remains fluid. Earlier this week, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited flood-affected communities in Kabbe North Constituency, one of the hardest-hit areas near Katima Mulilo, the regional capital, following a high-level briefing from regional authorities. The president urged local authorities to raise awareness about the risks of remaining in flood-prone areas, stressing the need for timely relocation as water levels continue to rise.
March 28, 2026