National dams filling fast

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Wednesday January 26, 2011 00:00

 

WUC communications manager, Matida Mmipi said in a statement that the remaining two might fill-up to capacity soon.  'Following the recent rains, Letsibogo, Shashe, Ntimbale and Nnywane dams have filled to capacity.  The remaining two dams, the Gaborone and Bokaa continue to receive inflow. At the rate at which the dams are impounding water (sic) and if the rates of inflow are sustained at the same rate (sic), it is likely that Gaborone and Bokaa dams will fill to capacity soon,' she said. 

Currently, Nnywane and Ntimbale dams are at 102 percent full. Letsibogo is at 105 percent while Shashe is 101 percent full. Water levels in the Gaborone dam have risen by a remarkable 19% in just five days to reach 70 percent full. Molatedi and Bokaa dams are just under 55 percent.  Mmipi has warned the public of the increased levels of water in the rivers downstream the dams, which may fill, and overspill. 'Such amounts of water may pose a threat to the public,' she cautioned.

Meanwhile Ramotswa border gate has been closed again due to the overflowing Ngotwane River, which borders Botswana and South Africa.  BURS officer in charge at Ramotswa border gate, Annah Kokomane told Mmegi that the gate has been closed due to the overflowing river, and that this time around, they might close until weekend as the situation seems bad. 

A few metres from the border gate is Bamalete Lutheran Hospital, which is also threatened by the rising waters. 

Chief Medical Officer at the hospital, Dr. Ostmann Sabine said yesterday that they have not seen such high water levels in a long time. She said that currently, the hospital garden is flooded and they fear that the water might reach the mortuary, the incinerator building and the physiotherapy block.