A Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) study has found that heavy rainfall, groundwater dynamics, and geological faults play a significant role in the formation of the fissures. BGI marketing and public relations officer, Aobakwe Gofamodimo, a site inspection has revealed that subsurface cavities had developed prior to the fissure formation and water from recent ingress rains hence weakening the ground and leading to collapse.
He said BGI conducted a site visit to Hatsalatladi village on January 7, 2025, to assess the recent ground fissuring incident. Furthermore, pointed out the visit aimed to visually inspect the affected areas, evaluate the extent of the fissuring and assess any resulting damage and risk to public safety. “The current fissuring incident coincides with heavy rains in Botswana following a prolonged dry season,” he pointed out. “Historical data shows that fissures have been occurring in the Hatsalatladi area for decades, with larger fissuring in recent memory occurring during Tropical Storm Dineo in 2017, highlighting the relationship between extreme rainfall events and ground fissuring in Hatsalatladi and surrounding areas.” Moreover, Gofamodimo revealed that the BGI in collaboration with the University of Botswana (UB) and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) had recently completed a robust multidisciplinary geoscientific investigation on the causes of ground fissures at Hatsalatladi and Ditshukudu villages. He shared that the project has been completed and is at the stakeholder engagement and information dissemination stage. Gofamodimo continued: “The project was successful in delineating high-risk areas with regards to ground fissuring phenomenon and the current incident falls within such areas.”
