Attachments
Description of the Event
Date of event
21-03-2025
What happened, where and when?
From February 19 to 21, 2025, heavy rains led to widespread flash flooding in Boteti, Gaborone, Ghanzi, South-East, Kweneng, Kgalagadi, Mogoditshane, and Kgatleng districts. Rainfall peaked at 235mm in Kokotsha (Kgalagadi) and 160mm in Mogoditshane, with over 50mm recorded for more than 24 hours in several districts. This caused flooded homes, submerged roads, disrupted transport networks, and contaminated water and sanitation.
Based on an assessment conducted from 21-24 by the NS, as of February 21 2025, many people were affected, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and migrants, especially the ones living in low-lying areas across 14 districts. The floods conducted to the temporary closure of schools from February 20 to 24 due to transport disruptions. However, Kgatleng District schools only opened on 4th March 2025 as the situation was worse, with the exception of Linchwe II Junior Secondary School, which only opened on 17th February 2025 as it was severely affected by the flooding. The floods damaged homes, household items, and food supplies, forcing some residents into evacuation centres. 2,318 people were evacuated and other thousands displaced as at 26 February 2025.
As at 02.03. 2025, 402 persons are still in evacuation centres and the rest released to return home. Several major roads were closed, further restricting access.
The above events followed the Botswana Government's warning issued on 19, February 2025, projecting a continued rainfall that will be above average. The Botswana Government warning indicated that persistent downpours were expected to continue, potentially worsening the situation in already affected areas. From climate projections, the flooding is worsened by La Niña conditions and broader regional weather patterns.
The Government of Botswana, through the various affected districts, has been requesting the Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) to complement the Government efforts in supporting affected communities. The severe effects of the storms and floods in the country from late 2024 have been weakening the response capacity in the country, urging for additional resources to cover for this new event. A national disaster taskforce has been formed where the Botswana Red Cross Society has a role to play. Through this DREF allocation, NS is targeting 9,000 individuals (3,167 households) in Ghanzi, Kgatleng, Tlokweng, and Gaborone.