OSHAKATI: Eemhunda residents in the Okalongo Constituency were left destitute after a strong storm and rain destroyed their homes, business premises and mahangu fields on Wednesday night. Rafael Eduardo, 67, told Nampa on Thursday that the storm destroyed many of their properties and mahangu fields. According to Eduardo, many of the zinc sheets that were blown off buildings were found a distance from the houses. 'I was left now fixing the zinc sheets back that were blown away by the storm even though they are really damaged,' he said. He added that with their mahangu fields completely destroyed, they are worried that they will not have a harvest. Another resident, Pendukeni Hifindako, 38, indicated that the storm affected his business badly resulting in damage of materials and equipment that will be costly for him. 'My welding machines and other materials were damaged and getting my business off the ground once again will be costly for me,' he said. At this stage, Hifindako said the total value of the damage is unknown as he will have to assess the matter. 'I do not know what to do now, this business was my livelihood and I have lost everything in the blink of a night,' he said. Okalongo Constituency councillor, Laurentius Iipinge, said he is aware of the matter and will be writing a report to the Office of the Omusati Region Governor, which will then be sent to the Office of the Prime Minister for further intervention. At this stage, Iipinge indicated that his office has no aid to help the affected residents. 'We are waiting for the traditional authority to provide us with a detailed report as to how many homesteads were destroyed,' he said. Iipinge said that once the report is issued they will know how many people were already registered for drought relief and the rest will be added on the list as their mahangu field was destroyed. Source: Namibia Press Agency
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