Disaster deepens at Lake Ngami

It is like a scene in a disaster film but this is a real life and death situation. From a distance and approaching from the southwestern side of the dry bed of the expansive lake, are silhouetted figures of humans, vehicles, and livestock, all seemingly floating on a huge body of water. Closer inspection shows that this is just a shimmering mirage because there is no water.

A mud puddle (called xhobo in the local lingua) at the northeastern side of Lake Ngami is all that is left of the vast Lake. This must be the deepest side of the Lake Ngami and the puddle is receding very fast. A strong stench of death (of rotting fish mixed with decomposed meat) hangs thick in the air and it can be smelt from miles away.