Namibia's railway operator TransNamib confirmed Tuesday that it had suspended passenger railway services due to the heavy rainfall being experienced countrywide.

The desert southwest African nation has experienced more than a week of heavy rains resulting in flash floods and overflowing rivers that have in some instances damaged the railway network.

TransNamib Corporate Communications Manager Abigail Raubenheimer said in a statement that the heavy rains that fell in the south of the country over the past week had caused a lot of damage to sections of the railway line.

"Taking the safety of passengers into consideration, we do not want to take any chances,” Raubenheimer said.

The Namibian Meteorological Service has warned that thundershowers are expected Tuesday in six of the country's 14 regions.

Residents have been advised to move from low-lying areas and riverbeds while motorists have also been cautioned that various roads and bridges have been damaged due to the heavy rains and flooding.

A TransNamib train carrying 61 people derailed on Dec. 23, 2020, on a bridge some 45 kilometres outside the southern town of Tses.