By Nuusita Ashipala
ONGWEDIVA – Heavy rains received in some parts of Omusati Region have raised mixed feelings among farmers with some fearing they might effect a negative yield in the next harvest.
Although some farmers have already begun ploughing their fields, some have raised concern that the level of water is too high for this time of the year and that the heavy rain could swamp seeds sown in the soil.
“It normally does not rain heavily this time of the year and we usually don’t have water flowing now. Heavy rains usually come to welcome Christmas, but it is never as heavy as this,” related an elderly farmer who identified herself as gwaAbisai.
Another farmer who chose not to disclose her identity said in her house the rainwater is flowing from underground.
So far the complaints range from flooded homes to inaccessible roads making it difficult to move from one area to another, and destroyed or about to be destroyed silos. However, the rain has also brought shoals of fish. Although it is not plenty for now villagers claim they have spotted fish in the water.
Councillor of one of the worst-hit areas, Titus Kanyere of Onesi Constituency, related that he has never seen water flowing this time of the year and rainwater usually flows early the following year.
“I have never seen water flowing in December in my life,” related Kanyere.
Kanyere added that the water in his area is not floodwater, but rainwater that accumulated within two days of rain, recounting that on one of the days it poured in the morning from 05h00 until the evening till about 19h00.
The constituency councillor Kanyere, who sympathises with his constituency members, advised the public to avoid walking around at night, especially the elderly and children.
He said people should opt to walk during the day when they can see where they step.
He further advised parents and guardians to refrain from leaving young children at home alone because the majority of homes are close to water.
Additionally, he advised those catching fish to do so in areas they are familiar with.
He cautioned drivers to be extra vigilant on the roads especially the gravel roads to avoid unnecessary accidents.
“The roads have potholes as a result of the rain, hence drivers should drive carefully,” warned Kanyere.
The governor called upon people who find themselves threatened by the water to report the situation to their councillors or governor’s office so that they can be rescued.