Nampower warns communities along the Kunene River to urgently evacuate lowland areas due to potential flooding caused by heavy rains in southern Angola.
Leonard Shemuvalula, manager of the Ruacana Power Plant, advises residents to move livestock and equipment to high ground and avoid river banks.
Shemuvula made the announcement through a statement released on Sunday.
“Residents of users of the area downstream of the Ruacana Power Plant and rivers are encouraged to urgently evacuate lowland areas, move livestock and equipment to the highlands, and keep riverbanks away as water rises without warning,” he said.
Shembula emphasized that heavy rains in southern Angola caused a large amount of water to flow towards Ruakana.
As a result, Nampower is scheduled to open the second floodgate of diverted we at the power plant on Monday.
Shemuvula said this would increase the river flow to 1,600 cubic meters per second (1.6 million liters per second).
Currently, one flap gate is open, releasing water at about 100 cubic meters per second.
The last extreme high river flow we experienced in 2011 is expected to cause major flooding downstream of the Ruakana Power Plant.
“Lodges and campsites in this area are also encouraged to be aware of flood warnings and make all the necessary arrangements to ensure the safety of our visitors and visitors,” he said.
The station manager said residents and visitors were being urged to further move away from the edge of the river and avoid activities near the water.
