Freaky weather catches Walvis Bay off guard
A thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds caught Walvis Bay residents by surprise on Monday evening.
It left flooded streets, uprooted trees and damaged roofs in its wake.
From April to May rains could still occur in Namibia while temperatures slowly start to drop. From June to September it is winter and no more rain is received except in the far south.
Monday night’s freak weather started with a drizzle at 21:00, which became a heavy downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning that lasted until 07:00 the next morning.
Sylvia Gases, who lives in ?Nies Street on the outskirts of Tutaleni, says it was the first time that her family was caught completely off guard by the sudden rain.
“I am glad that the rain stopped, yet worried that it will rain again. Our bedding has been soaked. The thunder and lightning scared us while the strong wind trapped us inside and prevented us from climbing onto the roof to fix the leaks. We are well prepared for the cold and wind. It normally does not rain this time of the year. The rainy season is supposed to have passed.”
Fortunately for Gases, who has lived in Tutaleni for more than 15 years, her four children attend afternoon classes which gave her adequate time to dry their school uniforms.
“We thank God that the raining did not continue over a longer period or became stronger. Our electrical appliances would have been damaged. Ghetto life is a problem and we suffer,” she said.
By the time of going to press dark clouds had once again gathered over Walvis Bay and more rain looked likely.
OTIS FINCK
It left flooded streets, uprooted trees and damaged roofs in its wake.
From April to May rains could still occur in Namibia while temperatures slowly start to drop. From June to September it is winter and no more rain is received except in the far south.
Monday night’s freak weather started with a drizzle at 21:00, which became a heavy downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning that lasted until 07:00 the next morning.
Sylvia Gases, who lives in ?Nies Street on the outskirts of Tutaleni, says it was the first time that her family was caught completely off guard by the sudden rain.
“I am glad that the rain stopped, yet worried that it will rain again. Our bedding has been soaked. The thunder and lightning scared us while the strong wind trapped us inside and prevented us from climbing onto the roof to fix the leaks. We are well prepared for the cold and wind. It normally does not rain this time of the year. The rainy season is supposed to have passed.”
Fortunately for Gases, who has lived in Tutaleni for more than 15 years, her four children attend afternoon classes which gave her adequate time to dry their school uniforms.
“We thank God that the raining did not continue over a longer period or became stronger. Our electrical appliances would have been damaged. Ghetto life is a problem and we suffer,” she said.
By the time of going to press dark clouds had once again gathered over Walvis Bay and more rain looked likely.
OTIS FINCK
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Namibian Sun
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