Expected Heavy Rains Could Mean Disaster

By Ephraim Keoreng
Staff Writer | Monday January 25, 2010 00:00

 

Especially at risk is thunderstorm prone, Greater Mahalapye. Weather forecasts show that the area should expect thundershowers throughout this week.

Mahalapye sub-district officer Mothibi Monyakeng said in an interview with Monitor that already they have received reports that two houses in Dibete have been destroyed by rains.

'At the moment we are on disaster alert, especially in 'areas like Poloka, Moralane and Mosolotshane. The areas have received a great amount of rainfall. The soils are saturated with water and we are braced for a possible disaster situation should more rains come,' he said.

Mahalapye was hit by a thunderstorm last month where a lot of homes were destroyed.
In terms of preparedness, Monyakeng said they are ready and working with relief organisations like the Red Cross to respond to any form of disaster.

'Everybody is on full alert. I asked police stations and other government offices to report any cases of disasters to chiefs or social workers,' he said. He called on communities to be self-reliant volunteers in helping government officers during disasters.

'Last time in Mahalapye people stood by and watched as we pitched tents. They said they wanted to be paid to help because the officers are getting paid to do the job. This is a bad attitude and Batswana should desist from this dependency syndrome,' he pleaded.

Public relations officer at the National Disaster Office in Gaborone, Tebogo Modiakgotla said that his office was also on full alert for possible disasters around the country.'

The National Disaster Management Office provides tents to all the districts in the country. Should a district experience disaster and run short of tents, they can request for more tents from neighbouring districts.

'It is not just tents. We also provide food, but we do not do this physically but rather, we disburse funds to the affected districts to rollout food packages. These funds are from our Disaster Relief Funds,' he said.