FRANCISTOWN: Francistown District Commissioner (DC) Chabongwa Matseka has issued a stern warning to residents of the city to refrain from disposing of trash into storm water drains, especially amidst the ongoing floods in the southern region of the nation.
It is anticipated that the flooding will soon reach the northern part of the country. In discussions about the city's preparedness and readiness for floods, Matseka emphasised the importance of residents avoiding blockages of storm water drains caused by litter.
"Vegetation litter blocks the drainage system and should not be thrown into it," she stated. She also mentioned that local floods would occur if the storm water drains were blocked. In addition, Matseka advises locals to trim any tall trees on their homesteads for safety reasons. She clarified that when strong winds occur, these kinds of trees may cause damage to their property. According to her, it is imperative that people evaluate their homes and make any necessary renovations so they are ready for unforeseen flooding or potentially strong winds in the area.
"It's important to establish a regular schedule for home renovations, especially for older homes, to ensure that they remain in good condition," the DC continued. In order to prevent drowning incidents, the Francistown district commissioner additionally encouraged parents to provide their kids with adequate care during the rainy days. Additionally, she mentioned that they have a disaster committee with a directory and inventory.
She said that the inventory consists of the resources that they have available to respond to any situation, including fires, accidents, and hailstorms. The directory is what happens can happening can happen beyond working hours and who can response and where this person can be found, said Matseka.
Further Matseka stated that there are avenues for handling disasters through the national, regional, and ward disaster committees. "In the event that we encounter circumstances like intense downpours, rainstorms, or earthquakes, we will seek the assistance of external organizations like the national disaster management committee," she continued.
