23 Nov 2015

Two people have died and about 250  were left homeless after a storm hit Bobonong on November 19.

In an interview, Bobonong police station commander, Superintendent Paul Seoko,  said a seven-year old child died when a wall collapsed on him while a  69-year-old woman died due to a shock.

Supt Seoko said the storm started just after midnight but worsened after 1am when winds became stronger and aggressive.

He said it was difficult for people to report cases of damage  due to lack of communication saying many came after water had subsided in the morning. He said the most affected locations were Rasetimela, Mabumahibidu and Borotsi wards.

 Supt Seoko said the storm destroyed power lines and he therefore cautioned people not to come into contact with electric cables. He said they were working round the clock together with the office of the district officer through the district disaster committee to assist the victimes.

Teachers’ quarters in Matshekge, kitchen roof and Borotsi Primary School and Mafetsakgang schools were also blown away.

One resident Mr Moipolai Moipolai of Borotsi ward said "it was my first time to see this storm. I did not sleep, our house was destroyed."

Another resident Mr Othusitse Robert said everything in his house was soaked."Furniture, electrical appliances were destroyed and as you can see we are homeless," he  said..

Reports from the district disaster management committee stated that five teams were dispatched to assess the situation and over 241 household, eight businesses and 39 government houses were affected.

The report showed that a total of 125 people were assessed in Rasetimela with 37 eligible for assistance, 88 in that ward were eligible for food only .

In Borotsi 23 people were assed,  16 people were eligible for food, while five were eligble for shelter and in Mabumahibudu 71 people were assessed, with 57 eligible for food only  and nine will need shelter.

In Mosweu and Dandane wards a total of 29 people were assessed with 22 people elegile for food while 1 needed shelter.

At the government houses 39 were assessed and one was eligible for food with 29 people eligible for shelter. Ends