Flood-hit Windhoek residents urged to move to safer ground
Residents affected by recent flooding in parts of Windhoek may soon be moved to higher ground as the City intensifies efforts to address the dangers posed by informal settlements in high-risk areas. Following the heavy rains on 7 April 2026, the City’s Emergency Control Room and Customer Care Centre received numerous reports of flooding across several suburbs. In response, Disaster Risk Management officials conducted a rapid assessment to evaluate the extent of the damage and identify the most vulnerable communities.
The assessment revealed that a total of 39 households were affected by the flooding. Of these, 20 households are currently residing in riverbeds or waterway areas, placing them at significant risk during periods of heavy rainfall. These households have been prioritised for urgent movement to higher ground to ensure their safety. City officials emphasised that the term “moving to higher ground” is being used, rather than “relocation”, as some residents continue to settle in hazardous areas despite repeated warnings. Authorities noted that, in some cases, individuals occupy riverbeds in the hope of eventually being allocated formal land. An on-site inspection was carried out by the City of Windhoek’s Disaster Risk Management team in the Max Mutongolume informal settlement, located in the Moses Garoëb Constituency, following the recent downpour. The inspection confirmed that many of the affected residents are living directly within natural water flow paths, contributing to the severity of the flooding.
Images captured during the assessment show homes built in areas that obstruct the natural movement of water, further exacerbating the situation during heavy rains. In addition to addressing immediate safety concerns, the rapid assessment has also recommended infrastructure improvements aimed at strengthening resilience against future flooding incidents. These include the construction of pedestrian crossings and other measures to better manage water flow in vulnerable areas. City officials have reiterated the importance of ongoing community engagement and awareness campaigns, highlighting the dangers of settling in flood-prone and unregulated areas. Despite these efforts, the challenge persists as more residents continue to occupy unsafe land.
A comprehensive assessment is currently underway and will guide the City’s next steps regarding long-term solutions for affected residents. In the meantime, authorities are urging residents to refrain from occupying land that is prone to flooding or has not been legally allocated, warning that such actions not only endanger lives but also complicate disaster response efforts.
