Nata-Gweta flood crisis
Lebogang Mosikare | Thursday March 9, 2017 16:01
“We have been helping some of the families that have been affected. We will be increasing aid. In total, 130 households with an average of three members each have been affected,” he said, adding that they will end their mission on Sunday.
The flooding has crippled traffic along the A3 highway – one of the country’s busiest roads, which runs from Francistown, Nata, Gweta, Zoroga up to Maun. The highway is the leading access road to the country’s tourism heartland in the north west.
The A3 was already riddled with potholes prior to the floods, but has become even worse after the downpours. The floods have been exacerbated by Makgadikgadi Pans’ low lying area, a tourist region.
To travel along the highway, drivers have to use large vehicles to avoid getting stuck particularly around Zoroga, a situation causing misery to commuters and drivers alike.
Last week Chilimba cautioned motorists and general members of the public against using the stretch of the highway near Zoroga.
“The flood has worsened the state of the road and our view is that it is not fit for use. We have advised people who want to travel along the road to use alternative routes when travelling to Maun or nearby areas,” Chilimba said.
The deputy district commissioner cautioned that large water snakes had been spotted swimming in the flooded water, posing a threat to people who attempt to paddle.