Africa-Press – Namibia. Kavivetrue Virere
OPUWO – Otjimuhaka Primary School in the Epupa constituency is facing a severe water crisis after flooding along the Kunene River submerged its garden and washed away a water pumping cylinder, leaving the school without water supply.
The situation follows an urgent flood warning issued by NamPower to residents and communities along the Kunene River after heavy rainfall in southern Angola.
NamPower spokesperson, Leonard Shemuvalula, last Friday said large volumes of water are flowing towards Ruacana, adding that the power utility would open a second floodgate at the diversion weir of the Ruacana Power Station in the evening to manage the rising inflow.
Otjimuhaka Primary School principal Elias Uusizi told Nampa on Saturday that the damage has completely disrupted access to water at the school, forcing learners to rely on unsafe river water.
“The school garden is currently submerged, while the water pumping cylinder has been washed away by floodwaters, leaving the institution without any water supply,” he said.
Uusizi said the situation has worsened living and learning conditions, with learners now forced to fetch water directly from the Kunene River, posing serious health and safety risks.
“Our biggest challenge is access to clean water. At the moment, learners are using river water, which is dangerous,” he said.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services on Thursday donated water purification tablets to the school during an assessment visit following flooding along the Kunene River.
Uusizi added that the floods have also disrupted movement in and out of the area, leaving some learners stranded at the school due to inaccessible routes, particularly those crossing from Angola.
He noted that similar conditions occurred last year, when learners were forced to remain at the school until water levels receded and access routes were restored.
The principal also raised concerns over food shortages, saying the school feeding programme is under pressure due to limited supplies. He further highlighted challenges including the lack of fencing, poor sanitation facilities and inadequate lighting around the hostel, which place learners at risk, particularly at night.
Uusizi said the school, which accommodates about 300 learners, urgently requires clean water interventions, including boreholes and water purification systems, as well as improved infrastructure such as fencing and toilets.
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