Selinda Spillway expected to join Okavango after decades
By Bright Kholi
Water from the Selinda Spillway is expected to next week flow into the Okavango delta system after at least 50 years. There is a lot of excitement in Maun and the Chobe as many people want to witness the phenomenon with others planning to celebrate this historic moment at the Spillway. Meanwhile, downstream, many areas and streams which have not had water in many years are inundated with water.
At the Boro-Thamalakane rivers' confluence, the area known as the Sunset Beach is completely under water. The fields and gardens along the river in Matlapaneng are also under water.
The famous Big Tree remains inaccessible and some people have been seen risking their lives trying to cross to the other side. Houses near the old bridge close to near Maun Lodge are almost surrounded by water and flood plains in the area remain inundated.
The Nhabe River , which was blocked by the De Beers Mining Company in the early 1970s to divert water to the then-new Orapa diamond mine is currently flowing after Debswana earlier this year cleared the blockage. The Thamalakane River splits in two near Dikgathong feeding the Boteti and Nhabe rivers.
The Boteti has not received flood waters in many years because of the bund. The Nhabe is in full flood, eventually meeting the Kunyere River in Toteng and then into Lake Ngami .
The Nhabe River , which had been overgrown by vegetation, looks stunning as the water spread into the bush in the area on both sides of the river. Over the weekend, when this reporter visited the area, it was evident that residents along the river are very happy with the latest developments.
Dikgathong and Komana have also celebrated at parties to welcome the arrival of floodwaters after many years. The most amazing place remains Lake Ngami , which has filled beyond its boundaries.The gravel road at the upper end of the lake, which leads to Bothatogo, has been cut by the water as it continues to flow over previously dry and thirsty patches of land which have also not had water for a very long time. Driving to Bothatogo remains impossible unless one has a bigger vehicle but even then it would be a risk.
Sonja
