Severe Flooding in Swakopmund’s DRC Settlement Sparks Urgent…

Heavy rainfall in Swakopmund’s DRC informal settlement has led to severe flooding, affecting residents’ homes and hindering children’s access to school. Local residents are calling for urgent infrastructure improvements, emphasizing that current shacks are vulnerable to such weather. The Swakopmund Municipality is working on housing solutions as they acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by the community.

Swakopmund experienced unusual heavy rainfall on Wednesday, causing significant flooding, especially at the DRC informal settlement. Residents were compelled to take measures to protect their homes, yet widespread flooding affected many properties. Caroline Kasenda, a local resident, described the situation as “very devastating,” noting that many children could not attend school due to obligations to repair their roofs and deal with water accumulation in their homes.

Kasenda criticized the infrastructure, stating, “I hope that infrastructure really turns to be taken care of this year… it’s not really good”. Her sentiments reflect a universal struggle within the settlement, where the quality of shacks does not equate to their resistance against severe weather. Jacqueline !Gorases, owner of Ubuntu Safe Haven Soup Kitchen, echoed this sentiment as she recounted residents repairing leaking roofs, accentuating the severe stress brought on by the unexpected rain, which she described as a rarity for the coastal area.

!Gorases expressed concern regarding the safety of households with electricity, fearing water damage to electrical systems, and criticized the municipality’s lack of proper drainage measures. Residents, who typically fortify their homes against fog, find their preventive measures inadequate for the rain, further contributing to the damage. Despite the challenges, !Gorases maintains a hopeful outlook, stating, “We are just praying for it to stop, for the sun,” as she remains optimistic about better weather conditions soon.

In response to the flooding and related concerns, the Swakopmund Municipality highlighted ongoing projects aimed at land and housing improvements, assuring efforts to provide affordable housing solutions by 2025. These responses aim to alleviate the hardships faced by the residents of the DRC informal settlement.

In summary, the recent heavy rains in Swakopmund have posed significant challenges for the residents of the DRC informal settlement, leading to flooding and infrastructural concerns. Local community members, such as Caroline Kasenda and Jacqueline !Gorases, have voiced the desperation and urgency for improved infrastructure to better manage such extreme weather events. While the Swakopmund Municipality is aware of the issue and is working towards sustainable housing solutions, immediate actions are needed to support the affected populations during adverse weather conditions.

Original Source: www.namibian.com.na