Floods leave families homeless in Serowe
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday January 7, 2015 14:33
About 15 households were affected by the heavy rainfalls, which began on Christmas Eve and continued until 2 January 2015.
The NDMO in Serowe has conducted rapid assessments to determine the damage and needs of those affected. “Out of 15, six people were left homeless. Eight houses have collapsed due to heavy rains but some victims have other houses apart from the affected ones. The affected wards include Modikwane and Makolojwane,” Serowe District Commissioner Bakuedi Masole said.
The affected people have already been provided with relief measures in the form of temporary shelter (tents) and food baskets. “Most of the property damage was collapsed walls of huts, leaking roofs and foodstuff soaked by water.
An additional number of bow-tents have been dispatched this Monday 05, 2015 from the NDMO Warehouse in Gaborone to Serowe to supplement the relief stock in anticipation of further possible rainfall,” said Masole.
The District Disaster Management Committee is continuing to monitor the situation and provide assistance to those affected.
Masole urged members of the public to report disaster incidents quickly to the police, area or district commissioner’s office in order to be assisted early. He further said police always communicated with his office, even after hours since they had their cellphone numbers.
He noted that his office was always prepared for any problems that might ensue following heavy rains.
Meanwhile, in Selebi-Phikwe the NDMO assisted 15 households after heavy rains tore across the town on December 27, 2014. The affected areas include BCL, Ikageleng and Phase 1.
It is understood that the households were affected when floodwater entered houses beneath the doors, leaving the floors flooded and household goods soaked in water. “Two households which were most affected, were assisted with food baskets, while five people were given mattresses and another five assisted with blankets,” statement from NDMO reads.