The persistent rains have led to severe flooding, displacing residents and forcing the government to close schools temporarily. Some businesses were also forced to shut down as water levels continue to rise. The city came to a standstill on Wednesday afternoon as a number of major roads were closed down causing serious congestion on the road with homes, cars swept away by heavy floods. Several locations in the city have been hardest hit, with roads turning into rivers and homes left uninhabitable.
Residents were stranded at their work places and homes waiting for emergency assistance as the water volume had overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems, leading to a widespread flooding. It was depressing to witness motorists stranded in heavy traffic as they struggled to navigate waterlogged streets. It took many hours to reach their usual 10 minutes drive home as traffic was at a standstill with no other ways of navigating in between the city streets. The Botswana Meteorological Services had long warned of persistent rains but residents could not contain its outcome. Emergency response teams were dispatched to rescue people, control traffic but it looks like the rain will not stop anytime soon. On Wednesday evening, the floods forced government to close all public schools with immediate effect and adjusted public servants working hours from their usual 7:30am-4:30am to 9am-15:30pm. The government has promised that it would continue to assess the extent of the damage and provide further updates on relief efforts.
