Authorities identify source of flooding in Gweta

Boniface Keakabetse | Wednesday May 17, 2017 09:06

Head of aquatic and vegetation control unit Dr Kurugundla Naidu at Maun Water Affairs confirmed that they recently undertook preliminary assessments of the Gweta/Zoroga floods. Dr Naidu explained that the preliminary findings are that the two areas are low compared to the neighbouring areas and therefore prone to flooding.

He further stated that they further discovered that both areas have a shallow water table which further exacerbated their vulnerability to flooding. Dr Naidu said: “the area between Zoroga/Gweta have a low altitude. The flooding was exclusively caused by rainfall”

Edwin Mosimanyana, a hydrologist who is researcher at University Botswana’s Okavango Research Institute affirmed Dr Naidu’s position that Gweta/Zoroga is a flood zone. He said they are working with the DWA to come with a preliminary measurement of entire flooding of the two areas. He said their data will help understand the status of the flood patterns in the areas by analysing recent and historic data.

Mosimanyana explained that Nata River basin and water originating from parts of Zimbabwe drains on the Makgadikgadi system where Gweta/Zoroga are located. “Every river drains somewhere usually in to the ocean. The Okavango River drains in to the Kalahari Desert.

Nata River whose headwaters come as far as Zimbabwe drains in to the Makagadikgadi. Mosimanyana explained that what worsened the recent flooding along the Makgadikgadi system is that too much water may have activated ancient river pathways that stopped flooding for ages something which would have been responsible for flooding Gweta and Zoroga.”

Along river basins such as Makgadikgadi there are ancient systems that stopped flooding years back. These systems can however become active with too much water. Usually because these rivers   stopped flooding, you will find that there may be human settlements along them.”

Contacted for comment Gweta Kgosi, Stephen Maditsa confirmed telephonically that Gweta is located on a flood zone. He said the biggest flood he saw in his lifetime was when he was still young in 1955. He further explained that another flood came in the area in 2008 but was not in the magnitude of this year’s flood.

Maditsa opined that this year’s flooding was worsened by lack of proper drainage along the Maun- Nata road which pass through his village. Maditsa said there is a need for culverts and better drainage in his area to channel the water in an event of flooding to stop water spreading everywhere.

He said in absence of culverts water forced its way and caused road damages.  Maditsa however explained that the flood situation has improved drastically and water in the village has disappeared expect for along the road.